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PARIS (AP) France's president says his country will raise its domestic terror threat level because of French military operations against Islamist forces in two African countries. President Francois Hollande (frahn-SWAH' oh-LAWND') says he will increase security at public buildings and across France's extensive transportation networks.

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) France says its troops and warplanes in Mali have driven Islamist rebels from a key city and destroyed a militant command center. France sent its forces to the West African nation in response to an appeal from the country's president. Al-Qaida-linked militants have seized control of the vast, desert region of northern Mali over the past nine months.

BEIJING (AP) People are refusing to venture outdoors and buildings have disappeared into Beijing's murky skyline as the Chinese capital's air quality went off the index. Environmental monitors say the density of small particulate matter, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, had surpassed 700 micrograms per cubic meter in many parts of the city on Sunday. Its index goes up to only 500.

LAS VEGAS (AP) Miss New York is the new Miss America. Mallory Hagan, a 23-year-old contestant from Brooklyn, N.Y., won the beauty pageant Saturday night in Las Vegas. Hagan defeated Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, who took second, and Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton, who finished third. Hagan wins a $50,000 college scholarship. Her platform was stopping child sexual abuse.

NEW YORK (AP) The NHL's four-month lockout has finally ended following another tough negotiation that nearly delayed training camps even longer. The league and the players' association completed a required memorandum of understanding Saturday night. It had to be signed before camps could open. That will happen on Sunday with a 48-game regular season to begin on Jan. 19.