USA

Authorities in Palm Bay, Fla., said they had arrested a man Wednesday they believed may have ignited wildfires that have destroyed at least 40 homes and caused nearly $10 million in damages. They did not identify the suspect.

More than half of insured Ameri-cans now take prescription medicines, mostly on a daily basis, for what are described as chronic problems, according to a study of prescription records by Medco Health Solutions. Experts say the data reflect worsening public health, better medicines, and aggressive pharmaceutical advertising.

In what was hailed as a step of progress in a crime-fighting partnership, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe authorized the extradition of 14 warlords from his country Tuesday to the US to face cocaine-trafficking charges. The accused men were flown to Florida.

National Football League Commis-sioner Roger Goodell said Tues-day that no more penalties will be assessed against the New England Patriots as the result of his talk with Matt Walsh, a former team video assistant, about evidence he provided of taping of opponents' signals, which is against NFL rules.

Karen Bass, a former physician's assistant who'd never held elected office until 2004, was sworn in Tuesday as California Assembly speaker, making her the first African-American woman to lead a state legislative body. The Los Angeles Democrat is a strong advocate for foster children.

Pop artist, sculptor, and choreographer Robert Rauschenberg, who died Monday on Captiva Island, Fla., was perhaps best known for his incongruous combinations of three-dimensional objects and paint.

Nearly a third of American households have moved almost exclusively to using cellphones, according to the results of a National Health Interview Survey released Wednesday.

The President's Council on Physical Fitness said Wednesday it is introducing an adult fitness test similar to the one students take each year. Adults will be able to enter their scores online to learn where they rank.

In a surprise, golfing superstar Annika Sorenstam said Tuesday she will retire from the LPGA Tour at the end of the year. Last weekend, the eight-time LPGA Player of the Year captured her 72nd tour victory. A Swede who lives in Florida, she says she's tired of the sport's daily grind and ready for business pursuits.