(CNN) -- Early-evening news and information to know.

MONEY-Retail-Sales-October

Better than expected October retail sales helped give stocks a boost to start the week. The Commerce Department says sales were up 1.4 percent. But when sales of autos and auto parts are taken out, the gain is only 0.2 percent. The Dow Industrial Average climbed 136 points.

MONEY-Bernanke-Outlook

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke says financial conditions in the U.S. have improved a lot over the past year, but he expects the recovery will be modest in large part because of the weak job market.

Space-Shuttle-Launch

Space Shuttle Atlantis and its six-member crew are rocketing toward the International Space Station. The orbiter lifted off right on time at mid-afternoon. The mission features three spacewalks and delivery of spare parts for future use.

North-Carolina-Missing-Girl

The body of a young child has been found in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The medical examiner is working to determine if it's 5-year-old Shaniya Davis. The little girl has been missing for about a week.

POL-CNN Poll-9/11 Trials

Two-thirds of Americans disagree with the Obama administration's decision to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a civilian court rather than a military tribunal. But six-in-10 respondents to a new CNN-Opinion research poll believe he should be tried in the United States.

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