DALLAS (AP) — Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan has agreed to become the Texas Rangers team president, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press….

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate moved toward a partisan clash Wednesday over Democrats’ efforts to add more than $40 billion in checks for the elderly, disabled veterans and the unemployed, and heating aid for the poor to a House-passed economic aid plan….

LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (AP) — Residents in five Southern states tried to salvage what they could Wednesday from homes reduced to piles of debris, a day after the deadliest cluster of tornadoes in nearly a decade tore through the region, snapping trees and crumpling homes. At least 50 people were dead….

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) — A coalition of Taliban militants in northwestern Pakistan declared an “indefinite” cease-fire Wednesday in fighting against security forces. The government said it was preparing for peace talks….

WASHINGTON (AP) — Boosted by his big night, John McCain asked his loudest conservative critics Wednesday to “calm down” and support his Republican presidential candidacy, as Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton girded for more rounds of their protracted struggle for the Democratic nomination. Obama dared claim a “big victory” because he came from so far behind, but the spoils were closely divided and the bragging rights, shared….

CHICAGO (AP) — Sen. Barack Obama predicted Wednesday that Republicans will have a dump truck full of dirt to unload on Hillary Rodham Clinton if the former first lady wins the Democratic presidential nomination, and said he offers the party its best hope of winning the White House this fall….

LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (AP) — Residents in five Southern states tried to salvage what they could Wednesday from homes reduced to piles of debris, a day after the deadliest cluster of tornadoes in nearly a decade tore through the region, snapping trees and crumpling homes. At least 48 people were dead….

DALLAS (AP) — Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan has agreed to become the Texas Rangers team president, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press….

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate moved toward a partisan clash Wednesday over Democrats’ efforts to add more than $40 billion in checks for the elderly, disabled veterans and the unemployed, and heating aid for the poor to a House-passed economic aid plan….

NEW YORK (AP) — Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs, the New York City medical examiner said Wednesday….