TRAGIC

Five dead including toddler in Arizona shooting

crimescene-commons

A gunman shot and killed four people including a toddler in the southwest U.S. state of Arizona before turning the gun on himself Wednesday, officials and reports said.

PWNED

Activision uses convicted felon Oliver North to sell ‘Call of Duty’

Oliver North appearing in a trailer for "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2." Screenshot via YouTube.

Col. Oliver North, a man convicted on multiple counts during the Iran-Contra scandal is apparently the new frontman for Activision’s next “Call of Duty” game.

REALLY?

Preacher encourages violent punishment of LGBT kids

Child abuse image via Shutterstock

North Carolina evangelical preacher Sean Harris told parents in his congregation to use violence to punish children for showing any perceived signs of LGBT inclinations.

BARACK OBAMA: THE STORY

Ex-girlfriend’s diaries show Obama in love

Obama via AFP

Secret diaries of an Australian woman who was one of young Barack Obama’s girlfriends, show the warmth and trust of the future president in love, but also hint at his reserve and “coolness.”

'SERIOUS CONCERN'

Justice Department to review handling of 80 rape cases in Missoula

[Gavel and law book image via Shutterstock]

The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday announced it was investigating how rape cases in Missoula, Montana were being handled by local authorities.

FUNDRAISING NIGHTMARE

Major GOP donor arrested in veteran charity scam

GOP donor "Bobby Thompson" arrested (WPRI)

The U.S. Marshal Service announced Tuesday that it had captured a man accused of creating a fake charity for veterans that funneled money to Republican candidates.

Science

Aspirin works as well as blood thinner in heart patients

WASHINGTON — Aspirin works as well as the blood thinner warfarin, or Coumadin, in most…

SpaceX delays ISS launch again

WASHINGTON — The first attempt by a private company to send a cargo-loaded spacecraft to…

Controversial ‘mutant virus’ study published

Scientists watch black hole devour unlucky star

Tech News

Apple forced to withdraw 4G iPad claims

Apple has been forced by the Advertising Standards Authority to withdraw claims in the UK…

Anti-SOPA leader Mozilla breaks with tech companies to oppose CISPA

Mozilla, maker of the Firefox web browser, became this week the world’s loudest critic of…

Media

NGO: Media rights deteriorating in Iraq

orsened in the past year in Iraq, a local rights group said, in a country already…

Rupert Murdoch’s BSkyB begins fightback at UK officials

Rupert Murdoch’s empire launched a fightback on Thursday after a mauling by British lawmakers, with satellite…

World

Nigerian market attack kills at least 34

Gunmen armed with explosives killed at least 34 people in northeastern Nigeria when they attacked acattle market and burned it to the ground, residents and…

Munch’s ‘Scream’ beats auction record at $119.9 million

NEW YORK — The only privately owned version of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” — one of the most recognizable paintings…

Bolivia nationalization hurts investment climate: U.S.

WASHINGTON — The United States voiced concern Wednesday after Bolivia nationalized Spanish firm Red Electrica’s local grid, saying it will…

Twelve dead in clash between Mexico soldiers, outlaws

CULIACAN, Mexico — A fresh clash between soldiers and suspected criminals in northwest Mexico left 12 dead, including two soldiers,…

U.S. News

US pushes China to allow yuan rise, speed reforms

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Thursday urged China to allow its currency to strengthen further and push…

13 charged in Florida university hazing death

MIAMI — Thirteen people were charged Wednesday in the hazing death of the leader of…

U.S. shows no sign of compromise over missile shield

WASHINGTON — Top US officials preparing for international missile defense talks in Russia said Washington…

Gingrich officially drops presidential bid

ARLINGTON, Virginia — Former House speaker Newt Gingrich on Wednesday dropped his erratic campaign for…

DEA apologizes to student left handcuffed in holding cell without food or water

The Drug Enforcement Administration has apologized to a college student that was left handcuffed in…