Illinois Allows Civil Unions For Same-sex Couples

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn on Monday made Illinois the 16th U.S. state to give spousal rights to same-sex couples by signing into law a measure allowing civil unions.

Pilot Dead, 3 Hurt In Arizona Police Helicopter Crash

TUCSON, Arizona - A pilot was killed and three people injured, one of them critically, when a sheriff's department helicopter slammed into a remote hillside northwest of Tucson on Monday, authorities said.

Trial Ordered For Fifth U.S. Soldier Charged In Afghan Murders

SEATTLE - A general court-martial has been ordered for the last of five U.S. soldiers charged with murdering unarmed Afghan civilians as part of a rogue combat platoon last year, the Army said on Monday.

Michigan Report Paints Bleak Financial Picture

CHICAGO - Michigan is deep in debt and has almost no financial cushion for its budget, according to a report released by Governor Rick Snyder on Monday.

U.S. Wants TV Producer To Face Homicide Charge In Mexico

LOS ANGELES - U.S. prosecutors on Monday filed court papers to send a former "Survivor" television producer to Mexico to stand trial for the killing of his wife.

Judge Approves Moving Arizona Shooting Case To Tucson

PHOENIX A federal judge has approved moving court proceedings to Tucson, Arizona from Phoenix for Jared Lee Loughner, the 22-year-old college dropout accused in a shooting rampage there, court filings said on Monday.

Governor Cuomo's Budget Seeks To Reverse Past "shams"

NEW YORK - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveils his first budget plan on Tuesday, giving him the opportunity to alter a process he labeled as a "sham" that leads to runaway spending and deception similar to what he uncovered on Wall Street.

NY City Councilmen Among 24 Arrested In School Protest

NEW YORK - Twenty-four people, including two members of the New York City Council, were arrested on Monday at a protest over plans to close two dozen city schools, authorities said.

Midwest Braces For Monster Winter Blizzard

CHICAGO - The Midwest braced for a massive and potentially dangerous winter storm on Monday with forecasts of up to 2 feet of snow and strong winds that could make travel virtually impossible.

Gov. Jerry Brown Presses California On Budget Vote

SAN FRANCISCO - Governor Jerry Brown pressed California lawmakers in his state-of-the-state address on Monday to let voters decide on his budget plan, saying any attempt to block a special election would be irresponsible in light of protests in Egypt and Tunisia.

South Carolina Scientist Works To Grow Meat In Lab

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - In a small laboratory on an upper floor of the basic science building at the Medical University of South Carolina, Vladimir Mironov, M.D., Ph.D., has been working for a decade to grow meat.

Man Held Over Threat To Dearborn Mosque: Police

CHICAGO - A man found with explosives outside one of the nation's largest mosques in suburban Detroit is in jail facing felony charges, police said on Sunday.

Family Of Soldier Disappointed At War Crimes Charges

SEATTLE - The family of the youngest and lowest-ranking U.S. Army soldier ordered to face court martial for war atrocities against Afghan civilians said on Saturday they were disappointed in the decision and worried that their son will not get a fair trial.

North Dakota Killer Of Four At Large: Police

CHICAGO - A man whose killing spree left a mother, her two teenage children, and her boyfriend shot to death in Minot, North Dakota, Friday afternoon, remained at large on Sunday, authorities said.

Protesters Decry Conservative Desert Retreat

RANCHO MIRAGE, California - About 1,000 chanting protesters rallied on Sunday outside a California resort where conservative lawmakers and business executives met for a political strategy session hosted by billionaires Charles and David Koch.

Four Drown When Boat Capsizes In Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo - A 62-year-old man who may have plunged into the frigid waters of the Niangua River in southwest Missouri to save three friends died shortly thereafter, authorities said on Sunday.

Senator Moves To Ban Drug Sold Under Bath Salts Guise

NEW YORK - Two drugs that produce a "meth-like" high and are being sold under the guise of "bath salts" would be banned as federally controlled substances under a bill unveiled on Sunday by Senator Charles Schumer.

Giffords Husband To Decide On Space Trip In Mid-February

HERZLIYA, Israel - The astronaut husband of a U.S. congresswoman seriously wounded when she was shot in head will decide by mid-February whether to join the last NASA shuttle launch as scheduled, the space agency said Sunday.

Major Winter Storm Expected To Hit Great Plains, Eastern States

CHICAGO - A massive storm system bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain could potentially impact 100 million people as it slams the Rockies, Plains, and Midwest regions early this week before traveling to the eastern seaboard Wednesday, according to forecasts on Sunday.

Judge May Escalate Battle Over Healthcare Reform

MIAMI - A Florida judge could on Monday become the second judge to declare President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law unconstitutional, in the biggest legal challenge yet to federal authority to enact the law.

Woman Who Dumped Condiments In Book Drop Pleads Guilty

SALMON, Idaho - An Idaho library has closed the book on a string of condiment attacks against its book-drop now that the ketchup-wielding criminal has been jailed, a Boise librarian said on Saturday.

Four Months Later, Cat-loving Man Finds His "Cinderella"

SALMON, Idaho - After four months of searching, days of driving and a case of mistaken feline identity, a California man has been reunited with the pet cat he lost in Idaho last year.

Ohio Bust Nets 2,800 Pounds Marijuana And $1 Million Cash

CHICAGO - Authorities in Columbus, Ohio, seized about 2,800 pounds of marijuana from Mexico with a street value of $3.5 million, as well as almost $1 million in cash in two raids, police said on Saturday.

Gas Leak At Texas Oil Refinery Prompts Evacuation

HOUSTON - No injuries were reported due to a gas leak at a Texas City, Texas, refinery that forced the evacuation of nearby homes on Saturday, a city official said.

North Dakota Police Say Killer Still At Large

CHICAGO - North Dakota police said on Saturday they are still searching for a killer who shot four people dead in two separate locations in the town of Minot, including three victims with the same last name.

New Law Could Foster Community Radio Boom

PHILADELPHIA - A tiny nonprofit organization operating a national campaign from a basement for 12 years to get more non-commercial radio stations approved, may soon see its dream come true.

Mother Who Murdered Teenaged Kids Taken To Hospital

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida - A Tampa woman who admitted murdering her two teenage children was taken to a local hospital on Saturday for evaluation, police said.

Three Mexican Murder Suspects Turn Themselves In

PHOENIX - Three Mexican men wanted for murdering a U.S. teenager turned themselves in at an Arizona border crossing point on Saturday, U.S. border officials said.

Jared Loughner Hearings Headed To Tucson: Court

PHOENIX - Court proceedings against accused Tucson shooter Jared Loughner are set to move to a U.S. federal court in Tucson, after the prosecution and defense reached agreement, court documents showed on Friday

Family Of Soldier Disappointed At War Crimes Charges

SEATTLE - The family of the youngest and lowest-ranking U.S. Army soldier ordered to face court martial for war atrocities against Afghan civilians said on Saturday they were disappointed in the decision and worried that their son will not get a fair trial.

New York Avoids Cleanup Woes Of Christmas Blizzard

NEW YORK - New York City emerged largely unscathed on Friday from winter's latest blast, averting the woes of a blizzard over Christmas that brought the city to a halt.

Woman Sentenced For U.S. Military Sales To China

BOSTON - A woman who managed a Massachusetts electronics company was sentenced on Friday to three years in prison for conspiring over 10 years to export U.S. military equipment to China, U.S. authorities said.

Police Hunt Robber Who Fled In 30-year-old Motor Home

SAN DIEGO, California - Police in San Diego are searching for a suspected robber who made his getaway in a 30-year-old motor home after demanding cash at a local credit union, authorities said on Friday

Five U.S. Air Force Cadets Expelled For Using "spice"

DENVER - Five U.S. Air Force Academy cadets have been expelled and another 25 are under investigation for using the drug "spice," a synthetic substance that mimics the effects of marijuana, academy officials said on Friday.

Man Who Mailed White Powder To Obama, Others Sentenced

DENVER -- A mentally ill man who admitted mailing 13 letters filled with white powder to President Barack Obama, members of Congress and Argentine consulates in Los Angeles and New York was sentenced on Friday to six years in federal prison.

Escaped Killer Who Hoped To Be 'bear Food' Sentenced

SALMON, Idaho - A convicted murderer who broke out of an Arizona prison and led a multi-state manhunt last summer was sentenced to 38 years behind bars on Friday for a crime spree he hoped would end with bears devouring him at Yellowstone National Park.

Tucson Sheriff's Shooting Comments Draw Protests, Support

TUCSON, Arizona - More than 100 supporters and opponents of an Arizona sheriff who triggered a storm of controversy by linking a Tucson shooting rampage to harsh political rhetoric held rival rallies on Friday.

New York City May Have To Lay Off 15,000 Teachers: Mayor

NEW YORK - New York City might have to lay off 15,000 teachers if the state, grappling with a $10 billion deficit, cuts the city's education budget by $1 billion, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Friday.

Pentagon Releases Guidelines For Repealing Gay Policy

WASHINGTON - New Pentagon rules allowing gays to serve openly in the military prohibit separate bathroom facilities based on sexual orientation and say that not all benefits will be extended to same sex dependents.

Jared Loughner Hearings Headed To Tucson: Court

PHOENIX - Court proceedings against accused Tucson shooter Jared Loughner are set to move to a U.S. federal court in Tucson, after the prosecution and defense reached agreement, court documents showed on Friday

Airport Officer Took Thousands Of Confiscated Items Home

NEW YORK - A police officer stationed at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport was suspended on Thursday for taking home more than 1,000 knives, nail clippers, scissors and other items confiscated from passengers during security procedures, authorities said.

Yellowstone Park Managers Release 62 Buffalo

SALMON, Idaho - Yellowstone National Park managers released 62 buffalo from a holding pen on Thursday, putting to rest animal advocates' fears the animals would be slaughtered.

Portland City Government Has Paper Delivered By Trike

PORTLAND, Oregon - Officials in Portland are having paper and office supplies delivered on giant tricycles to cut out harmful tailpipe emissions, the city said on Thursday.

State Offers Help For Detroit's Unclaimed Dead

DETROIT - Michigan has offered funding to help speed burials for 185 unclaimed bodies in the morgue that serves Detroit.

Nerve Agent Mix-up Prompts Utah Base Lockdown

SALT LAKE CITY - A mix-up over a tiny vial of a deadly nerve agent led to the overnight lock-down of the Army's Dugway Proving Ground, a sprawling, remote base in Utah where the U.S. military conducts weapons tests, officials said on Thursday.

FBI Conducts Searches Tied To WikiLeaks Cyber Attacks

WASHINGTON - The FBI said on Thursday it executed more than 40 search warrants in the United States as part of its investigation into cyber attacks allegedly by a group called "Anonymous" that had backed WikiLeaks.

Alaska Promises Release Of Palin Emails By May 31

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska officials must release by the end of May an estimated 26,500 pages of emails exchanged between former Governor Sarah Palin and her aides, the state's attorney general has determined.

Illinois Court Says Emanuel Can Stay On Chicago Ballot

CHICAGO - Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel can run for mayor of Chicago, the Illinois high court ruled unanimously on Thursday, overturning a lower court ruling earlier this week to exclude him.

Northeast Recovers From Wet, Heavy Snowstorm

NEW YORK - The Northeast dug out of yet another winter storm on Thursday that pummeled the region with unexpectedly heavy snowfall, making January the snowiest month in New York in more than 85 years.

Proposed Arizona Law Targets "birthright" Citizenship

PHOENIX - Arizona Republicans introduced legislation on Thursday seeking to challenge the right to U.S. citizenship for children born in the state whose parents are illegal immigrants or other non-citizens.

Smugglers With "medieval Catapult" Nabbed At U.S. Border

PHOENIX - In a brazen attempt reminiscent of a medieval siege, Mexican smugglers tried to use a hefty catapult to hurl drugs north over the U.S. Border, authorities said on Wednesday.

U.S. Missionary Shot In Mexico, Dies In Texas

EL PASO, Texas - An American missionary was shot by a gunmen in northern Mexico and died shortly after her husband raced her back across the border into Texas seeking emergency treatment, authorities said on Wednesday.

Authorities Airlifting Hay To Starving Montana Horses

SALMON, Idaho - Stockmen will begin airlifting hay to hundreds of horses left to starve in Montana after their owner's prestigious breeding operation went out of business, authorities said on Wednesday.

Climber Abandons Solo Winter Attempt On Mt McKinley

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A climber who was trying to become the first person to scale North America's tallest peak alone in winter has abandoned the effort after spending a week in a frigid and cramped snow trench near the upper reaches of the mountain.

Proposal Unveiled For Revamped Gateway Arch Park

ST. LOUIS - An ambitious proposal was unveiled on Wednesday that would send a swinging aerial gondola across the Mississippi River as part of a $500 million plan to revive and revamp the park surrounding the Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the United States.

Wal-Mart Drops Plan To Build Near Civil War Site

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart Stores Inc said it has dropped plans to build a superstore near the site of an historic 1864 Civil War battlefield in Virginia, bowing to pressure from preservationists.

Rabbis Protest Fox Host's Use Of Holocaust Imagery

CHICAGO - Four hundred rabbis will publish a letter on Thursday calling on Fox News to sanction host Glenn Beck for repeated use of Nazi and Holocaust imagery and for airing attacks on World War Two survivor George Soros.

Californians Support Vote On Tax Measure: Poll

SAN FRANCISCO - A majority of Californians back Governor Jerry Brown's plan to ask them to extend tax increases to help close a $25.4 billion state budget gap, poll results released on Wednesday showed.

Giffords Begins First Full Round Of Therapy

HOUSTON - U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was moved on Wednesday from an intensive-care ward to a long-term rehabilitation facility to begin her first full round of therapy since she was shot through the head 17 days ago.

Allen Stanford Incompetent For Trial: Judge

SAN FRANCISCO - Financier Allen Stanford is incompetent to stand trial at this time over accusations that he led a $7 billion fraud, a U.S. judge in Texas ruled on Wednesday.

Death Of Yellowstone Bison Sparks Conservation Debate

SALMON, Idaho - Less than a week after 25 wild buffalo from the nation's last purebred herd were permitted to roam into Montana, officials have shot and killed one bison and were debating the fate of 14 others.

U.S. Trial For Accused Airline Bomber Set For October

DETROIT - The Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a U.S. airliner with a bomb hidden in his underwear on Christmas Day in 2009 will go on trial on October 4, a U.S. judge said on Tuesday.

Rare Baby Black Rhinoceros Born At St. Louis Zoo

ST. LOUIS - A rare black rhinoceros baby was born at the world-renowned St. Louis zoo, the first birth of its kind at the zoo in two decades, officials said on Tuesday.

Boy Dies From Exposure In Rural Alaska Village

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A 14-year-old boy from the western Alaska village of Kipnuk died from exposure over the weekend after attempting to walk home in severe winter weather, the Alaska State Troopers said.

NY Prosecutor Vance Wants Tougher Fraud Punishment

NEW YORK - A leading New York prosecutor wants to toughen a broad 1920s state law used to investigate and prosecute securities fraud on Wall Street by imposing stricter prison sentences.

Ohio Is Latest State Switching Drugs For Executions

CHICAGO - Ohio said on Tuesday it would join other U.S. states in switching to a drug for executions often used to euthanize pets, after a U.S. company bowed to European Union pressure and stopped making a preferred drug.

Lowe's Laying Off About 1,700 Managers

- Lowe's Cos Inc is laying off about 1,700 middle managers across the United States, the country's second-largest home-improvement chain said.

After Speech Obama And Republicans Face Budget Battle

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and Republicans are headed for a fight over deficit reduction and spending cuts despite a conciliatory State of the Union speech that set the tone for a looming budget debate.

Gunman Killed At Wal-Mart Faced Kidnapping Charge

SEATTLE - A man killed in a shootout with police at a Washington state Wal-Mart faced a child kidnapping charge, and a girl shot dead in the crossfire is believed to be a Utah youth who ran away with him, authorities said on Tuesday.

U.S. Judge Sentences Ex-Guantanamo Detainee To Life

NEW YORK - A U.S. judge sentenced the first former Guantanamo detainee to face a civilian trial to life in prison on Tuesday, denying defense calls for leniency over his treatment by CIA interrogators.

Red Cross Appeals For Blood Donors After Winter Storms

WASHINGTON - The American Red Cross said on Monday that recent winter storms forced thousands of donors to cancel giving blood and its January supply had fallen to the lowest in a decade.

U.S. Tax Cuts Give World Growth A Boost: IMF

JOHANNESBURG - A package of U.S. tax cuts should give a lift to a global economic recovery that had already begun to gain speed late last year, the IMF said on Tuesday as it revised its world growth forecast higher.

Detroit Police Station Gunman Linked To Homicide Case

DETROIT - Investigators remain puzzled at what prompted a man to open fire in a Detroit precinct house on Sunday, wounding four police officers before he was shot dead himself, the city's police chief said on Monday.

Trial Starts For Iraqi Immigrant Charged In Daughter's Death

PHOENIX - Lawyers for an Iraqi immigrant accused of running over his daughter because she had become "too Westernized" said during opening statements in the case on Monday that the young woman's death was an accident.

Alaska Sexual Violence Far Worse Than Reported: Study

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - For every case of rape reported to police in Alaska, the state that consistently posts the nation's highest rate of sexual assault, another nine cases likely go unreported, according to a new study presented on Monday to the state legislature.

Selling One World Trade Center Not An Option

NEW YORK - New York state and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are both grappling with severe financial problems, but selling off One World Trade Center to bail them out would be a mistake, according to Port Authority executive director Christopher Ward.

Gunman Holed Up In Home Kills Two Florida Policemen

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida - A fugitive barricaded inside a house shot and killed two police officers and wounded a U.S. Marshal on Monday in a barrage of gunfire in St. Petersburg, Florida, authorities said.

Ex-Guantanamo Suspect Expected To Get Life In New York

NEW YORK - A U.S. judge is expected to hand a life sentence to Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, the first Guantanamo detainee to face a civilian trial, when his case comes to a close on Tuesday.

Court Tosses Emanuel Off Chicago Mayoral Ballot

CHICAGO - A state appeals court on Monday threw the Chicago mayor's race into turmoil by ruling that front-runner and former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel did not qualify for the February ballot.

Suspect In Tucson Shooting Spree Pleads Not Guilty

PHOENIX - Tucson shooting rampage suspect Jared Lee Loughner pleaded not guilty on Monday to federal charges of attempting to assassinate U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and attempting to murder two of her staff members.

Missouri Robbers Slip Up In Snow: Police

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Three teenagers who had been robbing drivers stranded in the snow in the southern area of Kansas City were apprehended when their own vehicle became stuck, police officials said on Sunday.

Congresswoman Giffords On Road To Rehab In Texas

HOUSTON - Representative Gabrielle Giffords has begun what will likely be a months-long recovery at a Houston rehabilitation center two weeks after being shot in the head by an Arizona gunman, medical staff said on Saturday.

Person Of Interest Arrested In Indiana Police Shooting

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Indianapolis police say they have arrested a person of interest in the shooting of officer David Moore during a routine traffic stop on Sunday morning.

Missouri Sister And Brother Die After Falling Through Ice

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Residents of a small Missouri town planned a candlelight vigil on Sunday night in memory of a young sister and brother who drowned after falling through ice on a pond.

Woman Suspected In NY Kidnapping Case To Face Charges

NEW YORK - A woman who raised a child who went missing from a New York hospital 23 years ago will face federal kidnapping charges after she turned herself in to the FBI, law enforcement officials said on Sunday.

Accused Tucson Shooter To Appear In Federal Court

PHOENIX - Tucson shooting rampage suspect Jared Loughner is due to appear in federal court on Monday on charges of attempting to assassinate Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the attempted murder of two of her staff members.

Former Merrill Lynch CEO Schreyer Dies

BANGALORE - William Schreyer, former chairman and Chief Executive officer of Merrill Lynch & Co, died on Saturday at his home at New Jersey, Schreyer's family said in a statement.

Wal-Mart Shooting Near Seattle Leaves Two Dead

SEATTLE - A shooting on Sunday at a Wal-Mart store in Port Orchard, Washington, just west of Seattle, left two people dead and two sheriff's deputies wounded, authorities said.

Gunman Wounds 4 Officers In Detroit Police Station

DETROIT - A gunman opened fire inside a Detroit police station on Sunday, wounding four police officers, including a commander, before the attacker was shot and killed, Police Chief Ralph Godbee said.

Fitness Guru Jack LaLanne Dies At 96 In California

LOS ANGELES - Jack LaLanne, a one-time sugar-holic who became a television fitness guru preaching exercise and healthy diet to a generation of American housewives, died on Sunday at age 96, his daughter said.

Popularity Of Vampires Spawns Subculture, Scholar Says

SALMON, Idaho - They work as doctors and lawyers by day but lurk as vampires by night. While they may not wish to suck your blood, there are plenty of willing victims on tap, says the nation's top scholar on a subculture that emulates the undead.

Russian Bout Set For U.S. Trial On Arms Charges

NEW YORK - Russian Viktor Bout, accused of trafficking arms and nicknamed the "Merchant of Death" in the West, will stand trial in a New York federal court in September, a U.S. judge said on Friday.

Catholic Church To Pay $1 Million To Settle Abuse Lawsuit

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. - The Catholic church on Friday said it would pay nearly a million dollars to a man allegedly sexually abused at age 16 by a priest, who then tried to cover it up and hire a hit man to kill the victim.

MSNBC And Anchor Keith Olbermann Abruptly Part Ways

LOS ANGELES - U.S. cable news television network MSNBC and its top anchor, Keith Olbermann, abruptly parted ways on Friday, less than three months after the liberal broadcaster was suspended for campaign donations to Democrats.

Obama Pushes Trade Agenda Ahead Of Big Speech

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama called on Saturday for new efforts to open global markets to U.S. goods, highlighting trade before a big speech on Tuesday that will lay out his policy priorities for the coming year.

Coast Guard Investigating Diesel Spill In Boston Harbor

BOSTON - The Coast Guard is investigating a diesel spill in Boston Harbor after a sheen on the water was reported earlier on Saturday.

Gay Marriage Could Move Forward In Some U.S. States

NEW YORK - A handful of U.S. states are poised to take up the issue of gay marriage afresh, due largely to incoming lawmakers who may tip the balance in favor of the controversial measure.

Indiana Mother, Three Children Found Shot Dead In Burned House

CHICAGO - A 30-year-old southern Indiana woman and her three children were found shot to death in a burned home, state police said on Saturday.

U.S. Shivers From Season's Coldest Weather

NEW YORK - Bitter cold gripped most of the nation on Saturday, with wind chills pushing the mercury to its lowest temperatures of the winter so far, forecasters said.

Congresswoman Giffords On Road To Rehab In Texas

HOUSTON - Representative Gabrielle Giffords has begun what will likely be a months-long recovery at a Houston rehabilitation center two weeks after being shot in the head by an Arizona gunman, medical staff said on Saturday.

Snow Covers New England, Bitter Cold In Midwest

BOSTON - A quick-moving winter storm blanketed New England with enough snow on Friday to wreak havoc with the morning commute and shut down area schools, while bitter cold enveloped the Midwest.

Sex, Age Discrimination Suit V Bank Of NY Mellon

NEW YORK - A veteran portfolio officer at Bank of New York Mellon Corp accused the company of sex and age discrimination on Friday, charging she was paid less than younger, male employees.

U.S. Court Hears Mexican Reporter's Asylum Bid

EL PASO, Texas - A Mexican journalist who fled what he said was persecution by the Mexican army began his bid for asylum at a federal immigration court in this border city on Friday.

For Sale Cheap: House Infested With Slithering Snakes

SALMON, Idaho - An Idaho home that has been infested with thousands of snakes for at least five years has been put up for sale for $66,000 less than its estimated market value after the recent owners gave up and walked away.

Ex-Chicago Policeman Jailed For Lying About Torture

CHICAGO - A federal judge on Friday sentenced former Chicago police commander Jon Burge to 4 1/2 years in prison for lying about the use of police torture to gain confessions.

Russian Bout Set For U.S. Trial On Arms Charges

NEW YORK - Russian Viktor Bout, accused of trafficking arms and nicknamed the "Merchant of Death" in the West, will stand trial in a New York federal court in September, a U.S. judge said on Friday.

Low-tax States Attract Budget-conscious Americans

WASHINGTON - Bob VanSickle was a lifelong New Jersey resident, but when he left after 52 years for what he calls "kinder, gentler" New Hampshire, he never looked back.

Catholic Church To Pay $1 Million To Settle Abuse Lawsuit

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. - The Catholic church on Friday said it would pay nearly a million dollars to a man allegedly sexually abused at age 16 by a priest, who then tried to cover it up and hire a hit man to kill the victim.

MSNBC And Anchor Keith Olbermann Abruptly Part Ways

LOS ANGELES - U.S. cable news television network MSNBC and its top anchor, Keith Olbermann, abruptly parted ways on Friday, less than three months after the liberal broadcaster was suspended for campaign donations to Democrats.

Giffords Flies To Texas Rehab Center

HOUSTON - U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords arrived in Texas on Friday to start the next phase of her recovery at a Houston rehabilitation center following 13 days of treatment at an Arizona hospital for a gunshot wound to the head.

Grenade Safely Removed From Pasadena Home

LOS ANGELES - Bomb disposal technicians safely removed a hand grenade from a Pasadena house on Thursday after the device, which turned out to be nonfunctional, was found with a pin in it, authorities said.

Kidnapping Victim Reunited With Family After 23 Years

NEW YORK - New York police were waging a renewed search for the kidnapper of a woman reunited with her parents after disappearing 23 years ago, officials said on Thursday.

U.S. Seeks Help From Carmakers On Distracted Driving

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will seek help from Detroit automakers next week on his campaign to combat distracted driving.

Colorado Lobbyist Charged With Pranks Against Ex-wife

DENVER - A longtime lobbyist in the Colorado state Legislature was charged on Thursday with breaking into his ex-wife's house, placing raw chicken parts in the heating ducts and pouring bleach inside a piano.

Obama's Daughter, Sasha, Practices Chinese With Hu

WASHINGTON - Talk about a high level language exchange.

Victim's Family Sues Schwarzenegger Over Commutin Sentence

LOS ANGELES - The parents of a college student stabbed to death 2 1/2 years ago sued former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday over his decision to reduce the prison term of a politically-connected assailant convicted in the slaying.

Snow Forecast In Northeast, Deep Freeze In Midwest

CHICAGO - A winter storm warning was in effect for parts of the northeast U.S. on Thursday evening expected to bring a new blanket of snow, and the upper Midwest braced for a deep freeze, forecasters said.

Giffords Taken Outside For First Time

TUCSON, Arizona - U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords can now stand with assistance, has tried to speak, and on Thursday got her first breath of fresh air since she was shot in the head 12 days ago, doctors and her husband said.

California Governor Declares Fiscal Emergency

SAN FRANCISCO - California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of fiscal emergency on Thursday for the government of the most populous U.S. state to press lawmakers to tackle its $25.4 billion budget gap.

U.S. Arrests 119 In Biggest Mafia Bust

NEW YORK - Authorities arrested 119 organized crime suspects on Thursday in what the FBI called the largest single-day operation against the Mafia in history.

Former N.M. Sheriff Charged With Selling Police Gear

SANTA FE, New Mexico - The former sheriff of Santa Fe County was arrested and taken to the jail he used to run on Wednesday, accused of embezzling county property, including protective vests and other police gear which he allegedly sold on the Internet.

"Bubble Ball" IPhone App Inventor Is Utah Eighth Grader

SPANISH FORK, Utah - The world's most frequently downloaded free iPhone application, an engrossing mini-video game called "Bubble Ball," is the creation of a 14-year-old boy who spent weeks developing it at a public library in Utah.

Officials Say Worn Bits, Faulty Sprays Involved In Mine Blast

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - A lack of protective rock dusting, worn drill bits and a small amount of methane gas likely contributed to the deaths of 29 miners in West Virginia last April, mining authorities said on Wednesday.

Mudslides Shut Two Amtrak Routes In Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE - Mudslides following days of heavy Pacific Northwest rains forced Amtrak on Wednesday to shut two popular passenger trains from Seattle to Vancouver, British Columbia, and from Seattle to suburban Everett.

Canada Arrests Man Wanted On U.S. Terrorism Charges

VANCOUVER - Canadian police have arrested a man accused of helping stage suicide bomb attacks in Iraq, including one that killed five U.S. soldiers, officials said on Wednesday.

Giffords Nears Transfer To Texas Rehab Center

TUCSON, Arizona - U.S. Rep Gabrielle Giffords is expected to be discharged from a Tucson hospital on Friday, two weeks after she was shot through the head, to begin in-patient rehabilitation at a facility in Texas, her office said on Wednesday.

South Carolina "optimistic" Despite Budget: Haley

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Despite a budget shortfall of more than $800 million and one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, South Carolina is "challenged but optimistic," Governor Nikki Haley said on Wednesday.

UK Bars U.S. Pastor Who Threatened To Burn Koran

LONDON - An American Christian preacher who caused global uproar by threatening to burn the Koran has been barred from visiting Britain, the British government said on Wednesday.

Two More Students Arrested In Los Angeles School Shooting

LOS ANGELES - Police investigating the apparently accidental shooting of two students at a Los Angeles high school said on Wednesday they had arrested a pair of teenagers for helping the 17-year-old boy accused of bringing a gun to class.

Accused Arizona Shooter Loughner Indicted

TUCSON, Arizona - A federal grand jury in Arizona indicted Jared Lee Loughner on Wednesday on charges of attempting to assassinate Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the attempted murder of two of her staff members.

Giffords Doing Well After Weekend Surgeries: Doctors

TUCSON, Arizona - Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was recovering well from a pair of weekend surgeries to remove a breathing tube from her nose and the repair her right eye socket, doctors said on Monday.

Philadelphia Police Arrest Serial Killer Suspect

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia police on Monday arrested a suspect they believe is the "Kensington strangler" serial killer linked by DNA evidence to the sexual assault and murder of at least three women.

Wisconsin Expected To Expand Gun Owner Rights: Report

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin, one of two states in the nation that prohibits citizens from carrying a concealed weapon, is expected to reverse this law during the upcoming state legislative session, according to a local newspaper.

Tucson Shootings Form Backdrop To King Day Celebration

ATLANTA - Speakers at Martin Luther King Day celebrations warned on Monday of the dangers of harsh political rhetoric in the wake of a mass shooting in Arizona that killed six and left a congresswoman gravely wounded.

Giffords' Husband: "She's A Really, Really Tough Woman"

LOS ANGELES - The astronaut husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords said in his first television interview that his wife still faces months of recovery but is a "really, really tough woman."

Maine Governor Backtracks After Martin Luther King Remarks

BOSTON - Embroiled in a racial controversy days after being sworn in as governor of Maine, Republican Paul LePage appeared to backtrack on Monday.

Floods Wash Out Oregon Road, Stranding Residents

PORTLAND, Oregon - Floods caused by a combination of heavy rains and unseasonal snowmelt destroyed a section of road on the western slope of Mount Hood in Oregon on Monday, stranding some 250 residents.

Magellan Pipeline Reports Gasoline Leak At Harris County, TX

- Magellan Pipeline reported a release of 250 barrels of gasoline from an underground pipeline onto the ground on Monday, due to unknown causes, at Harris county of Houston, Texas, in a filing with regulators.

Alaska Oil Pipe Restarts, Normal Production Resuming

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska's crude oil pipeline resumed operations on Monday, restoring the flow of about 12 percent of U.S. oil production nearly a week and a half after the line was shut due to a leak.

Sarah Palin Defends Use Of "blood Libel" Term

WASHINGTON - Prominent Republican Sarah Palin on Monday defended her reference to "blood libel" that aroused controversy last week when she used the term to condemn criticism linking her fiery rhetoric to the Arizona shootings.

Sargent Shriver In Maryland Hospital: Spokeswoman

WASHINGTON - Sargent Shriver, a former Democratic vice presidential candidate and brother-in-law of former President John F. Kennedy, has been admitted to a hospital in suburban Washington, a hospital spokeswoman said on Sunday.

Starbucks 31-oz "Trenta" Cup Size Set For U.S. Debut

LOS ANGELES - Starbucks Corp will roll out its biggest drink size yet -- the 31-ounce "Trenta" -- in all of its U.S. coffee shops by May 3, the company said on Sunday

Conservation Group Sues To Stop California Solar Plant

LOS ANGELES - A U.S. conversation group has sued the federal government over its approval of a major solar power plant in the California desert, the latest in a string of challenges to the nation's renewable energy goals from the environmental community.

Chlorine Leak Sickens Dozens At Pool Near Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS - Dozens of children and adults were stricken by respiratory problems and nausea on Sunday from a chlorine leak at an indoor swimming pool near Minneapolis, said a spokesman for the town of St. Louis Park.

Giffords Upgraded From Critical To Serious

TUCSON, Arizona - Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' medical condition was upgraded from critical to serious on Sunday, eight days after she was shot through the head by a gunman at close range.

Tucson Shooting Victim Held After Alleged Threat

TUCSON, Arizona - Prosecutors have formally charged a victim of last week's Arizona shooting rampage with threatening a Tucson leader of the Tea Party political movement during the taping of an ABC News town hall-style television program.

Wet Winter Storm Raises Avalanche Alerts In Rockies

SALMON, Idaho - A mass of unusually moist Pacific air swept the northern Rockies on Sunday, dumping wet snow in the mountains and heavy showers in the valleys as forecasters warned of increased avalanche hazards in several states.

Tucson Remembers Shooting Victim Who Died Shielding His Wife

TUCSON - A retired Tucson construction worker shot dead as he shielded his wife from a hail of bullets in a shooting rampage was remembered as a gentle hero always looking to help others at a service on Sunday.

Indiana Lawmakers Move Against Local Budget Hoarding

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana state legislators will work to amend laws that allow local governments to stash hundreds of millions of dollars in reserves, even as the state attempts to boost its lagging economy and prevent cuts in education spending, lawmakers said on Sunday.

Utah City May Use Blimp As Anti-crime Spy In The Sky

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - A proposed unmanned floating airship surveillance system is being hailed by city officials in Ogden, Utah as one way to fight crime in its neighborhoods.

Doctors Open Breathing Hole In Giffords' Throat

TUCSON, Arizona - Doctors performed a tracheotomy on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday, inserting a breathing tube through a hole in her neck and removing her from a ventilator, hospital officials said.

California Student Arrest May Have Averted Disaster

LOS ANGELES - Police at a Los Angeles university campus may have prevented a tragedy when they detained a deranged student later found to have a shotgun and bomb-making ingredients in his dorm room, the school's police chief said on Saturday.

Business Brisk At Tucson Gun Show Week After Rampage

TUCSON, Arizona - Thousands of shoppers browsed for guns at a trade show in Tucson on Saturday, a week after a shooting rampage that killed six people and raised questions about permissive gun laws in the United States.

Michigan Father Kills Wife, Sons 4 And 6, Self

DETROIT - A Michigan man was believed to have killed his wife and two young sons before committing suicide, police said on Saturday.

Tunisians In U.S. Watch Events With Cautious Hope

NEW YORK - Tunisians in the United States said on Saturday they were hopeful but cautious about the political change in the North African country after weeks of protest forced the country's longtime president into exile.

Convicted Amish Killer Commits Suicide, Police Say

ERIE, Pa - Nearly two decades after Amish man Edward Gingerich outraged his normally peaceful religious community by killing his wife, he has been found dead of an apparent suicide.

Teresa Scanlan Of Nebraska Crowned Miss America

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Nebraska's 17-year-old Teresa Scanlan was named Miss America Saturday becoming the youngest winner ever in the pageant's history after a night of being judged for poise, talent, fitness and knowledge.

Tribal Ruling Raises Dispute Over Slaves Owned By Indians

OKLAHOMA CITY - A tribal court ruling that the Cherokee Nation must allow descendants of former slaves owned by Indians to be tribal members, has again raised the painful history of the forcible removal of the Indians to Oklahoma in the nineteenth century.

Obama Urges Bipartisanship After Arizona Shootings

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama urged Americans on Saturday to maintain the "spirit of common cause" that arose from grieving over the Arizona shootings and use it to solve the nation's problems.

Amtrak Train Strikes Jogger Listening To Music

SANTA FE, New Mexico - An Amtrak train struck and killed a woman who was listening to music while jogging along the tracks, police said on Saturday.

Wounded Congresswoman Regaining More Physical Function

TUCSON, Arizona - U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appears to be steadily regaining physical function and awareness six days after she was shot through the head by a gunman at close range, doctors said on Friday.

Funeral For Tucson Judge Held Amid Tight Security

TUCSON, Arizona - Hundreds of mourners, some clutching roses, said farewell amid tight security on Friday to respected federal judge John Roll, who was among six people shot to death outside a Tucson grocery last weekend.

Police Describe Accused Arizona Gunman's Night

TUCSON, Arizona - Jared Lee Loughner, charged with killing six people and trying to assassinate a U.S. congresswoman in Arizona, checked into a motel, bought bullets and had photographs developed on the night before the shooting, police said on Friday.

Ronald Reagan's Son: Alzheimer's Seen During Presidency

WASHINGTON - Former President Ronald Reagan, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease five years after leaving office, showed signs of the condition while still in the White House, his son says in a new memoir.

Man Held In California School Threat Had Weapons Cache

LA MESA, California - Police found a cache of firearms at the house of a man they suspect of triggering a security scare at a San Diego-area high school on Friday when he called authorities to tell them he heard about a shooting there.

J&J Faults Cleaning Procedures In Massive Recalls

NEW YORK - Johnson & Johnson faulted lax cleaning procedures and other problems at a manufacturing plant behind massive recalls of medicines like Tylenol, and said it was recalling nearly 50 million more bottles and packages of consumer medicines.

Body Of Missing 18-year-old Airman Found In Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Authorities on Friday found the body of an airman from a U.S. Air Force base in Missouri who had been missing since Sunday.

Vegas Showbiz Crowd Pays Tribute To Slain Dancer

LAS VEGAS - Gathered at the theater where she had performed in the burlesque show "Fantasy," hundreds of mourners from the world of Las Vegas entertainment paid tribute on Friday to a slain dancer whose dismembered body was found encased in concrete last weekend.

Cruise Lines To Cut Back Mexico Trips Amid Violence

LOS ANGELES - Three cruise lines will end or scale back on trips to Mexico from Southern California, a trend some in the industry attribute to escalating drug violence in Mexico that has frightened away tourists.

Man Charged With Death Threats To U.S. Regulators

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y./NEW YORK - A New York money manager with a long history of legal battles with the government has been charged with threatening to kill 47 U.S. officials, including the nation's top securities and commodities regulators.

Before Tucson Rampage, A Powerful Law Went Unused

NEW YORK, Jan 13 (Reuters Legal) - As evidence mounts that Jared Lee Loughner exhibited disturbing behavior months before the rampage in Tucson, it's increasingly clear that Arizona authorities could legally have detained him for psychiatric evaluation and treatment -- and potentially have been able to avert the tragedy. But officials in other states might not have had that power, a review of state laws on involuntary commitment suggests.

WikiLeaks Gives $15,000 For Accused Leaker Defense: Group

WASHINGTON - WikiLeaks has contributed $15,100 to help defend a junior U.S. soldier accused of leaking to it hundreds of thousands of sensitive diplomatic cables and other secret documents, a support group said on Thursday.

Police Find Bag Holding Ammo In Arizona Shooting

TUCSON, Arizona - Police on Thursday were examining a bag containing ammunition that was found near the home of Jared Lee Loughner, the man charged in a shooting that killed six people and wounded 13, including a U.S. Congresswoman.

Michelle Obama Sees Lessons After Arizona Shooting

WASHINGTON - First lady Michelle Obama urged parents across the United States on Thursday to talk to their children about the Arizona shootings and use the event to teach them a lesson about American values.

Snow-covered Mass. Lifts State Of Emergency

BOSTON - Massachusetts lifted its state of emergency on Thursday as New England dug out from under deep snow following a winter storm that blasted the region with high winds and chilly temperatures.

Congressional Friends' Visit Roused Giffords: Doctors

TUCSON - The familiarity of a visit by close friends from Congress may have prompted Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords to open her eyes for the first time since she was shot, a doctor treating her said on Thursday, adding that it was an important sign in her recovery.

Tucson Says Farewell To Youngest Shooting Victim

TUCSON, Arizona - Hundreds of people gathered to say farewell on Thursday to a bright 9-year-old who loved to dance and play baseball, but was gunned down when she went to learn about politics from her congresswoman.

Alabama Executes Convicted Murderer

BIRMINGHAM - Alabama executed by lethal injection a death row inmate on Thursday who had been convicted of murdering his wife by shooting her at point blank range with a shotgun.

Colorado Police Seek Fugitive In 1983 Murder

BOULDER, Colo. - A district judge has issued an arrest warrant for a fugitive long suspected of killing the boyfriend of Robert Redford's daughter in 1983, police said on Thursday.

Retirement Deferred For Navy Officer Over Lewd Videos Case

WASHINGTON - The Navy officer who commanded the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise when lewd videos were made has had his planned retirement deferred, pending the outcome of an investigation of the matter, the Navy said.

Oklahoma Man Is First U.S. Execution Of 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma on Thursday executed a man convicted of beating a handcuffed convenience store clerk to death with a baseball bat, the first person put to death this year in the United States.

Packages Detonate In Two Maryland State Buildings

WASHINGTON - Two packages detonated in the mailrooms of two Maryland state government buildings on Thursday, but no one was seriously injured, officials said.

SEC Says Broker Will Pay $350,000 To Bronx Nuns

NEW YORK - A Long Island broker has agreed to pay $350,000 in a settlement to an order of mostly elderly nuns in the Bronx he was accused of fleecing, The Securities and Exchange Commission said on Thursday.

Mother Of Accused 14-year-old Hitman In Court

SAN DIEGO - The mother of a 14-year-old boy who confessed to severing heads for a brutal Mexican drug cartel pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge that she was in the United States illegally.

Homeless Man Finds Success With "golden Voice"

But one of America's first viral videos of 2011 has propelled a homeless man, who was filmed begging for money with a baritone-rich radio voice, to national attention and job offers.

Georgia Prison Guards Beat Inmates: NAACP

ATLANTA - Georgia prison guards beat three inmates in the wake of a strike at several state prisons last month, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said on Thursday.

Illinois House Passes Death Penalty Ban, Senate Next

CHICAGO - The Illinois House on Thursday voted to ban the death penalty, moving the measure on to the Senate a decade after a moratorium on executions was put into place by former Governor George Ryan.

Ex-CIA Officer Charged With Giving Reporter Secrets

WASHINGTON - A former CIA officer was arrested on Thursday on charges of illegally disclosing national defense information about Iran to a New York Times reporter who wrote a book.

White House Tightening Of Mexico Border Gun Rules Delayed

PHOENIX - A planned Obama administration clampdown on Mexico border gun dealers which would require them to report multiple assault rifle sales has been delayed by the White House amid stiff opposition from the powerful gun lobby.

Elizabeth Edwards' Will Makes No Mention Of Husband John

CHICAGO - Elizabeth Edwards, who died of breast cancer last month, left her estate to her children and made no mention of her estranged husband, former Sen. John Edwards, in her will.

Cuomo Says New York In Crisis, Rules Out Tax Hikes

ALBANY, New York - Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo declared the state of New York in crisis on Wednesday, proposing solutions long championed by Republicans to control a soaring budget deficit, overhaul Medicaid and reform a dysfunctional government.

Mexico Says U.S. Border Agent Killed Teenage Boy

NOGALES, Mexico, Jan 5 - A U.S. Border Patrol agent was involved in a shooting on the Arizona border with Mexico on Wednesday that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old boy trying to illegally scale the border fence, Mexican police said.

Federal Investigation Underway On NY Snow Cleanup

NEW YORK - A federal investigation is underway to determine if sanitation workers were deliberately slow in removing snow from last week's massive blizzard, officials said on Wednesday.

Prosecutors Drop Felony Charges In Idaho Hazing Case

BLACKFOOT, Idaho - Prosecutors dropped felony sexual abuse charges on Wednesday against the remaining two of five athletes accused of victimizing fellow members of a basketball team at a small-town high school in Idaho.

Colorado Lawmaker Under Fire After Fatal Car Crash

DENVER - A Colorado lawmaker who advocates stricter seat-belt laws did not have her three-year-old grandson restrained during a fatal crash in Texas, then moved the uninjured toddler into a car seat before police arrived, investigators said on Wednesday

Police Arrest Arizona Mall Shooter, Hostages Freed

PHOENIX - Police arrested a gunman on Wednesday who fired shots, fled to a shopping mall and then barricaded himself inside a Phoenix valley fast-food restaurant with hostages.

Spilled Drink In United Cockpit Leads To Hijacking Alert

CHICAGO - Beware of spilling drinks while flying a plane.

Soldier Gets Hard Labor In Afghan Abuse Case

SEATTLE - A U.S. Army corporal was sentenced to 90 days of hard labor and a bad conduct discharge on Wednesday after pleading guilty to keeping war souvenir photos of Afghan civilians, beating a platoon member and smoking hashish.

State Lawmakers Target Children Of Illegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON - State lawmakers launched a controversial drive on Wednesday to deny citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants, a move that angered some Hispanics.

High School Principal Dies After School Shooting

OMAHA, Neb - The son of a police detective shot two administrators at his high school on Wednesday and one of them later died in hospital, authorities said.

Firefighters Battle Huge Blaze At New Jersey Condo Complex

NEW YORK - A massive fire on Tuesday engulfed an apartment complex under construction in suburban New Jersey, authorities said.

Wisconsin Governor Wants Two-thirds Vote For Taxes

CHICAGO - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker unveiled draft legislation on Tuesday that would require a supermajority vote in the legislature for tax increases.

FEMA Must Recoup $643 Million In Improper Katrina Payments

ATLANTA - The much-maligned U.S. disaster agency FEMA must recoup $643 million it improperly paid to people in compensation following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and other disasters, according to a new report.

California Memorial Cross Found Unconstitutional

LOS ANGELES - A federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that a San Diego war memorial marked by a four-story-tall Christian cross on public land violates the U.S. constitutional ban on government endorsement of religion.

O.J. Simpson Co-defendant Freed From Prison In Deal

LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson's co-defendant in a Las Vegas robbery case has been released from prison after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors, the Clark County district attorney said on Tuesday.

Rents At Big U.S. Malls Up, But Smaller Centers Lag

NEW YORK - Vacancies fell and rents rose in the fourth quarter at large regional U.S. malls, but smaller strip malls are still wrestling with oversupply, lower rents and a high vacancy rate, according to real estate research firm Reis Inc.

Appeals Court Asks For Gay Marriage Guidance

SAN FRANCISCO - A U.S. appeals court mulling California's controversial gay marriage ban said on Tuesday it needs more legal guidance before it can decide the constitutional issues at stake, a move which will likely delay a final ruling in the case.

States Plan Crackdown On Immigration But Risk Latino Ire

PHOENIX - Republican state legislatures are ramping up a crackdown on illegal immigrants this year, in a concerted drive that risks alienating potential business allies and Latino voters.

Navy Captain Loses Command Over Raunchy Videos

WASHINGTON - The captain of a U.S. aircraft carrier was relieved of his command on Tuesday after producing bawdy videos that featured slurs against homosexuals, simulated masturbation and inane toilet humor.

Qantas Hopes To Resume A380 Flights To LA From Mid-January

SYDNEY - Qantas Airways hopes to resume Airbus A380 flights between Australia and Los Angeles from mid-January as Rolls-Royce finalizes its investigation into the cause of a mid-flight engine explosion on one of the aircraft last year.

NTSB Seeks Urgent Review Of Pipeline Records

WASHINGTON - U.S. safety investigators, acting in response to a deadly California gas line explosion, urgently recommended on Monday that pipeline operators review their records to ensure their systems were built correctly.

Obama Signs Health Bill For September 11 Responders

HONOLULU - President Barack Obama on Sunday signed into law a bill that funds medical care for firefighters and other responders to the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Radiation Exposure From Imaging Common In Kids

CHICAGO - Children and teens often get diagnostic tests that expose them to radiation, increasing the risk of cancer later in life, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo Seeks To Freeze Public Workers Pay

NEW YORK - New York state employees should be asked to accept a wage freeze, and when their contracts expire, pay cuts could be on the table, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday.

Special Report: California Or Bust

LOS ANGELES - Erich Kwek's new office is awash in sunlight and impeccably ordered, with enough space for a desk, small sitting area and a conference table. If you didn't know better, you might mistake it for a corner office at a successful corporation.

Children Speaking Up About Crime, Abuse: Study

CHICAGO - Children are increasingly stepping forward and telling school officials, doctors and the police when they have been the victims of crime or abuse, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

Suicidal New York Man Leaps, But Saved By Garbage Pile

NEW YORK - A would-be suicide jumper in New York was alive on Monday after leaping from a ninth-floor window but landing in a giant heap of garbage uncollected since the city's massive snowstorm a week ago.

New Year, Old Worry For State Budgets

WASHINGTON - Legislators in U.S. states who are returning to work this month or entering office for the first time expect to spend much of the new year pinching pennies.

Brown Serves Up Hot Dogs, Austerity For California

SACRAMENTO, California - Jerry Brown was sworn in as California's governor on Monday, returning to a job he held nearly three decades ago, and pledged a "tough budget" to turn around one of the most financially strapped U.S. states.

Most Americans Say Tax Rich To Balance Budget: Poll

NEW YORK - Most Americans think the United States should raise taxes for the rich to balance the budget, according to a 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll released on Monday.

Chrysler Recalls More Than 144,000 Vehicles: NHTSA

DETROIT - Chrysler Group LLC, the automaker managed by Italy's Fiat SpA, recalled more than 144,000 vehicles in three separate filings to federal regulators posted on Thursday.

Minnesota Sues 3M Over Pollution Claims

CHICAGO - The state of Minnesota sued 3M Co on Thursday, saying that the company contaminated the state's waters for decades with chemicals used in some of its best known products, including Scotchgard stain repellent.

Woman In Insider Trading Case Stays In Jail

SAN FRANCISCO - A California woman charged with leaking secrets about technology companies to two hedge funds in exchange for illegal payments will stay in jail over the weekend after a friend failed to guarantee her bail, her lawyer said.

More Repairs Ordered For Space Shuttle Fuel Tank

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - NASA ordered additional repairs to space shuttle Discovery after more cracks were discovered in the ship's fuel tank, but the flight remains targeted for early February, officials said.

Fog Plagues Ship Traffic At Houston Again

HOUSTON - Fog slowed ship traffic at the key oil port of Houston Friday, but pilots were moving inbound vessels and expecting the weather to improve by mid-afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

BofA Reviews Documents Amid WikiLeaks Threat: Report

PHILADELPHIA - A team of up to 20 Bank of America Corp officials, led by the chief risk officer, Bruce Thompson, have been reviewing thousands of documents amid a threat that it may be a target of WikiLeaks, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

San Francisco To Host 2013 America's Cup

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco will be the site of the 2013 America's Cup, officials said on Friday, with a Silicon Valley billionaire giving the "City by the Bay" its first chance to host sailing's biggest event.

Napolitano To Hear Air Security Tips In Israel

JERUSALEM - Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will use a visit to Israel this week to assess passenger vetting and other counter-terrorism measures at its Ben-Gurion Airport, government officials said on Sunday.

Transocean Tries To Stop Another Horizon Probe

SAN FRANCISCO - Transocean Ltd, the world's biggest offshore rig contractor, aims to stop a seventh U.S. body from investigating the accident that sank one of its rigs while causing the largest U.S. offshore oil spill.

Navy To Probe Controversial Carrier Videos

WASHINGTON - The Navy will investigate "inappropriate" videos produced on the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, which among other scenes show simulated masturbation and women showering together.

Words "viral" And "epic" Consigned To College Trash

BOSTON - This story might be epic, and could even go viral, but not if Lake Superior State University has anything to do with it. Just sayin.'

Ex-Treasury Chief Paulson Loses $1 Million On DC Home

WASHINGTON - Few know better than former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson how the struggling U.S. economy has battered home prices.

Ford Recalls F-series Pickups, Edge, Lincoln MKX

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co is recalling about 20,000 new vehicles in North America, mainly its heavy duty pickup trucks, due to the chance that an electrical short could cause a fire, Ford and U.S. federal regulators said on Thursday.

Chrysler Recalls More Than 144,000 Vehicles: NHTSA

DETROIT - Chrysler Group LLC, the automaker managed by Italy's Fiat SpA, recalled more than 144,000 vehicles in three separate filings to federal regulators posted on Thursday.

Minnesota Sues 3M Over Pollution Claims

CHICAGO - The state of Minnesota sued 3M Co on Thursday, saying that the company contaminated the state's waters for decades with chemicals used in some of its best known products, including Scotchgard stain repellent.

Woman In Insider Trading Case Stays In Jail

SAN FRANCISCO - A California woman charged with leaking secrets about technology companies to two hedge funds in exchange for illegal payments will stay in jail over the weekend after a friend failed to guarantee her bail, her lawyer said.

More Repairs Ordered For Space Shuttle Fuel Tank

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - NASA ordered additional repairs to space shuttle Discovery after more cracks were discovered in the ship's fuel tank, but the flight remains targeted for early February, officials said.

Fog Plagues Ship Traffic At Houston Again

HOUSTON - Fog slowed ship traffic at the key oil port of Houston Friday, but pilots were moving inbound vessels and expecting the weather to improve by mid-afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

San Francisco To Host 2013 America's Cup

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco will be the site of the 2013 America's Cup, officials said on Friday, with a Silicon Valley billionaire giving the "City by the Bay" its first chance to host sailing's biggest event.

Transocean Tries To Stop Another Horizon Probe

SAN FRANCISCO - Transocean Ltd, the world's biggest offshore rig contractor, aims to stop a seventh U.S. body from investigating the accident that sank one of its rigs while causing the largest U.S. offshore oil spill.