World/nation briefs

Officials to expand Jewish neighborhood City officials moved forward with plans to build 900 homes in the disputed Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, prompting criticism from the White House, the Palestinians and others who feel it will further undermine the chance of renewing peace talks. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "We are dismayed."

Five get death in postelection turmoil Iran has sentenced five defendants to death in a mass trial of opposition figures accused of fomenting the unrest that followed the disputed June presidential election, state television reported. None of the five has been identified. Rights groups and opposition figures have called the court proceedings a "show trial."

Pirates get ransom for Spanish trawler A $3.3 million ransom was delivered by boat to Somali pirates, who freed a Spanish trawler and its 36 crew members held for about six weeks. "The government did what it had to do," Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said.

President in trouble for stadium toast Serbian President Boris Tadic faces a fine for allegedly drinking Champagne at a stadium with his sports minister and the head of the soccer federation after Serbia's victory over Romania last month in World Cup qualifying. The fine for drinking around sports venues ranges from $150 to $1,500. The three are to appear in court on Dec. 1.

Decision on Zelaya to follow election The legislature will not decide whether to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya -- who is holed up in the Brazilian embassy -- until after the Nov. 29 presidential election, a congressional leader said.

Board rejects gay marriage ballot effort The city's Board of Ethics and Elections says a measure that would ban same-sex marriages cannot go on the ballot because it conflicts with its Human Rights Act. Opponents of same-sex marriage wanted to ask voters whether "only marriage between a man and woman" should be recognized in the city.

Democrats advance judicial nomination Democrats crushed a Senate filibuster against a controversial appeals court nominee. The 70-29 vote limited debate over the qualifications of U.S. District Judge David Hamilton of Indiana, and assured his elevation to the Chicago-based appeals court.

State executes 2001 killer of couple A former Army counterintelligence worker was executed by electric chair for killing a Virginia couple, becoming the first U.S. inmate to die by electrocution in over a year. Larry Bill Elliott was convicted of the January 2001 shooting deaths of Dana Thrall, 25, and Robert Finch, 30.

House candidate 'unconcedes' A Conservative Party candidate has withdrawn his concession in a close special election for a U.S. House seat, and New York election officials are beginning to count paper ballots. Doug Hoffman said he's "unconceding" on Glenn Beck's national radio show. Democrat Bill Owens was sworn into Congress after he was declared the winner of the Nov. 3 election. The latest results show him ahead by about 3,000 votes.

Woman pleads guilty in Smart kidnapping A woman charged in the 2002 kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart pleaded guilty as part of a deal with federal prosecutors and asked Smart to forgive her for all the pain she had caused. Wanda Eileen Barzee, 64, apologized in court, saying, "I am so sorry, Elizabeth, for all the pain and suffering I have caused you and your family." Smart, now 22 and preparing to serve a mission in Paris for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was not in court.