Fed holds rates, says economy picking up   LEAD: Fed leaves key short-term rate near zero to aid recovery+   Valley in Washington state prepares for flood   AP IMPACT: Clunker pickups traded for new pickups   Report: Kidnap suspect improperly supervised   Founder of San Diego Comic-Con dies at 76   Fed leaves key short-term rate near zero to aid recovery+   Fed again pledges to hold rates at record-lows   LEAD: Geithner to visit Japan next week before APEC+   Fed pledges to hold rates at record-low levels for 'extended period,' says economy picked up.   Geithner to visit Japan next week before APEC+   Equatorial Guinea coup-plotter returns home to UK   AP NewsAlert   Commercial pigs in Ind. test positive for H1N1   Officials: Swine flu confirmed in Iowa cat   Whistle-blower in Petters case wrote company checks   Palin book tour to start Nov. 18   STIMULUS WATCH: Salary raise counted as saved job   Health care dispute: Costs of defensive medicine   US officials visit isolated Myanmar, meet Suu Kyi