New York Times Top Online Stories: Wed 11/17/10

The New York Times lead headline online early Wednesday morning says "To Save Lives, NATO Is Razing Booby-Trapped Afghan Homes." The paper says in districts abandoned by the Taliban, estimates of the number of buildings destroyed by American troops begin in the hundreds.

It says Senator Mitch McConnell’s newfound support of a ban on earmarks averted a battle with the new House Republican majority.

The paper says President Obama’s hopes for a treaty with Russia appeared to come undone as the chief Senate Republican negotiator moved to block a vote.

The Times says a new plan circulating would involve extending the No. 7 subway line to Secaucus, N.J., farther than its already planned extension to 11th Avenue.

It says General Motors’ stock offering is a milestone, but Washington is still contending with other costly rescues.

And the most popular story says years of fevered anticipation and premature speculation ended on Tuesday morning when Prince William, the heir to the heir to the British throne, said that, yes, he did plan to marry his girlfriend of many years, Kate Middleton.