WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey was given a clean bill of health Friday after collapsing during a speaking engagement, the Justice Department said.

· Putin cuts taxes to meet crisis
MOSCOW, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, recalling financial crises of the past two decades, vowed his nation will weather the current storm, officials say.

· Lawyers seek to quash Cheney indictments

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Attorneys for U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney were in Texas Friday trying to quash indictments against Cheney alleging abuse in a federal detention center.

· Obscure division gets high Obama priority
NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Office of Legal Counsel, what has been an obscure U.S. Justice Department division, will get a high priority in an Obama administration, officials say.

· Major hot tar spill clogs city sewers
BRAMPTON, Ontario, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Cleanup plans were being drafted Friday after 4,000 gallons of hot tar leaked into city sewers in Brampton, Ontario, northwest of Toronto.

· Report: CIA held back plane downing info
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The CIA withheld critical information about agents' possible criminal behavior in the 2001 downing of a missionary plane in Peru, an internal probe revealed.

· Bush signs jobless benefits extension
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A measure to extend unemployment benefits by seven weeks was signed into law Friday by U.S. President George Bush.

· Utility pole stray voltage kills dog
TORONTO, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Electric utility officials in Toronto were investigating Friday how a dog was electrocuted while passing a utility pole.

· Fiery meteorite wows Western Canada
EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- An intensely bright and colorful meteorite lit up the skies over the western Canadian province of Alberta and sparked hundreds of emergency calls to police.

· Court says sex offender law too broad
SANTA ANA, Calif., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A California appeals court says that a law prohibiting sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school amounts to additional punishment.

· Obama raised half-billion online

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- President-elect Barack Obama raised more than $500 million online in his 21-month campaign for the White House, aides said in an interview.

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· First military execution since '61 planned
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A U.S. soldier convicted of rape and murder is scheduled to be executed next month in the first military execution in more than 40 years, the Army said.

· Father suspected in family's slayings
TORONTO, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Toronto detectives suspect a man concerned about finances killed his wife and two adult children before killing himself this week.

· Thousands protest security pact in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Thousands of protesters flooded Baghdad's Firdos Square Friday to protest the Iraqi government's plan to sign an accord concerning U.S. troops in the country.

· Greater APEC role urged in crises

MOSCOW, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum Friday to play a bigger role against acute financial and security problems.

· U.S. may begin using warrants in Iraq
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Some U.S. troops in Iraq may begin seeking warrants from Iraqi officials as early as Dec. 1, a month before such action may be required, officials said.

· 15 die in Somalia insurgent attack
MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- At least 15 people were killed Friday when insurgents attacked the Somali capital city of Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said.

· Obama fundraiser says no to Cabinet post
CHICAGO, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Chicago billionaire Penny Pritzker, whose fundraising magic helped power Barack Obama's presidential bid, has removed herself from Cabinet post contention.

· U.S. influence declining, report says
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. influence in world issues will decline during the next two decades as powers such as China and India gain sway, a U.S. federal report said.