Topic: The Associated Press

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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
10 weird criminal sentences

Check out these 10 court cases where judges have done more than sentence the guilty to a fine or jail time.
Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
Briefing
US gun industry by the numbers

As the debate over gun control rages on, the firearms industry in the United States is thriving. Here are seven key figures.
Can Republicans increase their ranks of governors? Four races to watch.

With only 11 races for governor this year, there’s no big sea change to anticipate. With Republicans hoping to add to the 29 states under their banner, the four races to watch are in Washington, New Hampshire, Montana, and North Carolina.

All Content

Amelia Earhart mystery solved? South Pacific bones may have answers.

Bones found on a South Pacific island may be those of Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world.
Gold ATM: Why settle for cash? Withdraw gold.

Gold ATM, installed in a Florida mall Friday, lets customers buy by the gram or ounce.
Tiger Woods soap opera tops AP sports story list. Does he deserve it?

Tiger Woods had one of his worst year's on the golf course, but was Tiger Woods plight (including his divorce) deserving of the title 'Sports Story of the Year'?
Asylum seekers search continues in rough Australian waters

Asylum seekers: Navy and customs officers plucked 42 survivors — including nine children — from the raging surf off Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean soon after their boat broke apart and sank Wednesday.
Kwame Kilpatrick, father both indicted on federal corruption and extortion charges

Kwame Kilpatrick, the former Detroit mayor now in jail for violating probation in a Michigan case, is now facing new federal charges, along with his father Bernard. Federal prosecutors say Kwame Kilpatrick and other associates abused the public trust.
WikiLeaks' Julian Assange bail granted by British court

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange was granted bail today in Britain. Confusion about who had appealed his bail led to 'Anonymous' hacker attacks on the wrong website.
Stuxnet 'virus' could be altered to attack US facilities, report warns

Stuxnet 'virus,' a cyberweapon aimed at Iran's nuclear facilities, could be redirected to launch a broad attack on US basic services, such as water and power supplies, says a report to Congress.
Bellagio robbery results in $1.5M in chips stolen by armed bandit

Bellagio robbery: The thief took chips ranging in value from $100 to $25,000 early Tuesday, police said. However, he might find it hard to redeem the chips at any other casino except the Bellagio.
Special Report: As ICC names suspect Kenyan leaders, records reveal talk of more ethnic cleansing

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected Wednesday to accuse up to six Kenyan leaders of orchestrating the ethnic violence that killed some 1,200 people after Kenya's Dec. 27, 2007 elections.
Census: Segregation hits 100-year lows in most American metro areas

New Census figures released Tuesday shows that 75 percent of US metro areas – most of them in the South and West – saw racial segregation drop to levels not seen for more than a century.
Assange says he will be 'true to his ideals' as he appears in court

WIkiLeaks founder Julian Assange gave a statement through his mother Tuesday that he would stand strong as he made his second court appearance on allegations of sexual misconduct.
Stockholm attack: Did suspect act alone or as part of jihadi group?

Stockholm attack Saturday appears to be the first suicide bombing in Sweden's history. An audio file sent to a Swedish news agency before the blast referred to jihad, Sweden's military presence in Afghanistan, and a cartoon by a Swedish artist that depicted the Prophet Muhammad as a dog.
In Pictures: Cleanup of UK student protests
GM CEO calls Toyota Prius a 'geek-mobile,' touts Chevrolet Volt

Dan Akerson's tough words about the Toyota Prius suggest that GM is trying to get its swagger back. One of the reasons GM is confident: the all-electric Chevrolet Volt.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 12/10
Martina Navratilova forced to abandon climb up Kilimanjaro

Martina Navratilova: The 27-person climbing team Martina Navratilova was in has faced heavy snows and mist since beginning the climb up the 19,340-foot mountain Monday.
Car carrying Prince Charles attacked by London protesters [VIDEO]

After UK tuition hike, the car carrying Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla, was attacked in London Thursday by protesters angry over university tuition hikes.
Sarah Palin hunting: Why the world shakes when she shoots a caribou

Sarah Palin hunting: Some commentators see a political commentary in Sarah Palin hunting caribou on 'Sarah Palin's Alaska,' calling the caribou, 'Obambi.' Others see animal cruelty. To hunters, though, the furor shows that urban America doesn't understand rural life.
John Lennon fans remember former Beatle in New York

John Lennon fans celebrated his life Wednesday by visiting Strawberry Fields, the Central Park garden dedicated in his memory. Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death.
Nigeria charges Dick Cheney in bribery case

Nigeria handed down indictments today against former US Vice President Dick Cheney. The case alleges bribery related to a bid by a Halliburton subsidiary to build a plant in the Niger Delta.
Ahmadinejad: lift sanctions to boost Iran nuclear talks

The first round of talks on Iran's nuclear program in 14 months yielded defiance from Tehran, frustration from the P5+1 countries, and an agreement to meet again in Istanbul in January.
WikiLeaks' Julian Assange arrested in London on rape charges

The arrest, on rape charges from Sweden, comes after Julian Assange warned that WikiLeaks could release key US cables if anything 'happened' to him.
Continental Airlines and Texas mechanic found guilty for Concorde crash

Concorde crash: A French court has found Continental Airlines and one of their mechanics to be guilty of manslaughter.
Kennedy Center honors 2010: Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney among five receiving accolades

Kennedy Center honors five in 2010, including Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Bill T. Jones, Merle Haggard, and Jerry Herman.
Concorde crash: US mechanic and Continental guilty, says French court

Continental Airlines and an American mechanic were convicted of manslaughter and fined for the 2000 Concorde crash. But none of the French defendants were found guilty.