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

Alaska's Berkowitz: status quo under Parnell not working

Alaska's democratic candidate for governor, Ethan Berkowitz, says the status quo under Sarah Palin and current governor, Sean Parnell, is not acceptable.
Shark attack in California kills teen

A teen was pulled under and killed in a shark attack on the California coast, Friday. His best friend witnessed the attack while by his side in the water only 2 feet away.
Democrats target Wall Street as new Election 2010 bogeyman

Ads that tie Republicans to Wall Street are boosting early voting returns for some Democrats in Election 2010.
Sharron Angle, Harry Reid Nevada race: Wild, woolly, and weird.

If you believe the ads, Harry Reid is a rich playboy and Sharron Angle doesn't know the difference between Latinos and Asians. Then there's the former Republican Party chief who's endorsed the Democrat.
What another $2 billion in US military aid means for Pakistan

Despite recent tensions between Islamabad and Washington, Pakistan is set to receive another $2 billion in US military assistance over the next five years.
Maria Sharapova, Sasha Vujacic engaged to be married, according to Lakers guard

Maria Sharapova and Sasha Vujacic are engaged, according to the Lakers' backup guard. Maria Sharapova and Vujacic have not set a wedding date, as of yet.
Uganda homophobia: Uganda paper publishes photos of gays with headline reading 'Hang them'

Uganda homophobia has been stoked by the small Ugandan newspaper Rolling Stone. In the days since it was published, at least four gay Ugandans on the list have been attacked and many others are in hiding, according to rights activist Julian Onziema.
Mexico earthquake was 6.7 magnitude

Mexico earthquake: The tremor struck about 72 miles south of Los Mochis, a city just inland from the coast in Sinaloa. It was centered at a relatively shallow depth of 5.6 miles.
Pace of Israeli settlement construction four times faster than prior to freeze

The Israeli group Peace Now and the Associated Press estimate construction on 550-600 new homes in Israeli settlements has begun since the freeze expired Sept. 26.
Could Barney Frank lose his House seat to newcomer Sean Bielat?

The race has long been considered a slam-dunk for Barney Frank, but now it's getting some attention. That's partly because of his status as a powerful Democrat that Republicans love to hate.
NFL fines three, will start handing out suspensions for helmet-to-helmet hits

NFL officials announced Tuesday that three players have been fined for helmet hits this past Sunday and, beginning this week, players can be suspended for violent tackles where their helmet makes contact with an opponent's helmet.
Super typhoon Megi moves from Philippines to China after killing 7

Typhoon Megi has left the shores of the Philippines after having wreaking havoc on the Pacific nation, and killing 7 people. It is now headed toward China.
Questions remain after police kill college football player, Danroy Henry

Local police shot and killed a college football star, Danroy Henry, in New York, but witnesses say the police story is not accurate and they demand justice.
Audrey Hepburn stamps fetch $606,000 for charity

A set of 10 Audrey Hepburn stamps from a canceled 2001 German postal service campaign sold for $606,000, Saturday. The funds will go towards Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, and one-third to UNICEF Germany.
DeSean Jackson injury: Should NFL penalize helmet hits?

DeSean Jackson of the Eagles was hurt in a second quarter collision with Atlanta's Dunta Robinson in Sunday's NFL matchup. A pair of Cleveland Browns were also injured Sunday by helmet-to-helmet hits in their game with the Steelers.
Beijing allows anti-Japanese sentiment to flare in China amid massive protests

Protests in China and Japan over a disputed chain of islands in the East China Sea erupted this weekend and spilled over into Monday, highlighting ongoing bilateral tensions.
As hopes for China miners fade, Chile mine rescue comparison lingers

Rescuers are stepping up frantic efforts to save 11 China miners still believed to be trapped by a deadly gas blast on Saturday.
Iran frees Iranian-American businessman Reza Taghavi

Iran released Orange Country businessman Reza Taghavi on Saturday after holding him in prison for two and a half years for bringing money to Iranian rebel group, Tondar.
Why climate change isn't much of a campaign issue

When an economy is in the tank, it’s a lot tougher to sell what may be expensive environmental solutions whose benefits aren't seen for decades to people worried about their job today.
Obama adminstration, Eric Holder will not stand idly by if Calif. voters legalize marijuana

Attorney General Eric Holder said the Feds would vigorously enforce federal law against anyone carrying, growing or selling marijuana if voters pass Calif. Prop 19 to legalize the drug.
Wikileaks: US says limited damage from leak of Afghan war logs

Despite the secret classification of the Afghan war logs Wikileaks posted on their website, the US says the damage is limited.
Nine 'tea party' candidates who stand a good chance of winning

Here’s something both Democrats and the GOP establishment in Washington are going to have to come to terms with: Tea party candidates will win some elections this fall. The only question is, how many? There is already a tea party caucus in Congress, but how much bigger of a room is it going to need to hold its meetings?
Pastor Terry Jones is given car for refraining from burning holy book

Pastor Terry Jones, of Gainesville, Fla., never burned a Quran but told The Associated Press on Thursday that the offer of a car was not the reason, saying he learned about the offer a few weeks after Sept. 11.
Liverpool FC sale to Red Sox ownership goes through

Liverpool FC was owned by Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Jr., a pair of American businessmen. Hicks and Gillett, Jr. claim they were forced to sell Liverpool FC to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry by the Royal Bank of Scotland and the club's board of directors.
Swiss tunnel: Workers drill through last few feet of rock, creating world's longest tunnel

The 35.4-mile Swiss tunnel, designed to shift transport of goods from environmentally damaging trucks to trains, trumps Japan's Seikan Tunnel – previously the world's longest.