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

Turkey coup plot: 12 officers charged as government takes on military

In an alleged Turkey coup plot, 12 senior officers have been charged with plotting a coup against the country's Islam-leaning civilian government. It appears to be an attempt to weaken the influence of the secular military, say analysts.
Turkey charges military officers over coup plot

Seven Turkey military officers were charged on Wednesday with a coup plot against the country’s Islamist-leaning government.
Even with new credit card laws 2010, Americans are cutting back on credit

New laws are shielding American credit-card users – as long as they can get credit.
Gallery: Retiring senators
Teen says school spied on him at home via school-issued laptop

Harriton High School in Pennsylvania gave laptops to all students. But when it appeared to use the webcam to monitor student behavior, it ran into a buzz saw of criticism, including a class-action lawsuit.
UN climate chief resigns

Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), steps down, effective July 1.
Small plane crashes into Austin office building – was it intentional?

Witnesses say the single-engine plane appeared to accelerate before crashing into the seven-story building, where IRS employees, among others, worked.
US missionaries: Lessons from Haiti adoption or 'child kidnapping' case

Experts in child kidnapping and global adoption hope that the Haiti incident involving American Baptist missionaries provides lessons for future disasters.
Stephen Colbert cheers Shani Davis in Vancouver Olympics

Shani Davis went for gold today – and got it. One of his sponsors: Stephen Colbert of the 'Colbert Report,' who was in Vancouver to watch the race.
Tesla plane crash: Concern about airports near neighborhoods

The Tesla plane crash in East Palo Alto, Calif., occurred in heavy fog. The accident, which killed three Tesla employees, raises questions about general aviation flying near residential neighborhoods.
Haiti judge frees 8 missionaries, keeps 2

A Haiti judge decided today to continue detaining two American missionaries, while releasing the other eight in the group held since Jan. 29 on accusations of kidnapping 33 children.
Afghanistan war: Taliban hiding behind civilians in Marjah

Taliban insurgents are holding civilians as hostages in the southern Afghan town of Marjah, say Afghan and NATO intelligence reports.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar capture: Triumph of Pakistan-US cooperation?

The announcement that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Afghanistan Taliban's military chief, was arrested underscores increasing US-Pakistan intelligence cooperation, targeting Taliban leaders inside Pakistan for arrest and assassination.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar capture: Triumph of Pakistan-US cooperation?

The announcement that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Afghanistan Taliban's military chief, was arrested underscores increasing US-Pakistan intelligence cooperation, targeting Taliban leaders inside Pakistan for arrest and assassination.
Civilian deaths mounting in Marjah offensive

NATO forces said Tuesday that three more civilians had been killed in separate incidents, bringing the total number of Afghan civilians killed since the coalition assault on Marjah began four days ago to at least 15.
Belgian train crash kills at least 12: governor

Two commuter trains collided in a Brussels suburb after one ran a stop light, killing at least 12 and halting all high-speed train traffic between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
India: Talks with Pakistan undeterred by Pune attack

Indian officials said Monday that upcoming peace talks with Pakistan are on track despite Saturday's attacks in Pune which some suspect were orchestrated by a Pakistan-based terrorist group.
Professor charged with murder: Did tenure pressure play a role?

A neuroscience professor at the University of Alabama-Huntsville has been charged with capital murder for killing three people after opening fire at a faculty hearing. Dr. Amy Bishop reportedly had learned that her request for tenure had been denied for a second time.
Silicon Valley's innovation engine at risk, report says

A new report warns that Silicon Valley's status as a center of economic growth and innovation is in danger. Silicon Valley has lost 90,000 jobs since 2008, and venture capital funding has plunged.
What does it mean when the federal government shuts down?

With snow continuing to fall on Washington Wednesday evening, it looks likely that most government workers will get a longer 'snowcation.' The longest weather-related shutdown lasted a week in 1996. This one is at 3-1/2 days and counting.
Blackwater security contractors ordered out of Iraq

Iraq has ordered more than 200 current and former employees of the private security company Blackwater, who still play a role in guarding US diplomats, to leave the country within the next four days.
Marjah offensive: Afghanistan civilians aren't taking the hint

US forces are poised to move into the southern Afghanistan town of Marjah, and have warned civilians to leave the area. But only a few hundred Afghan families have responded.
Why is Kenya moving 7,000 zebras and wildebeest?

Kenyan officials are spending $1.35 million to round up 4,000 zebras and 3,000 wildebeest and haul them across the country to feed hungry lions. Why is that necessary?
Case against Michael Jackson's doctor centers on gross negligence

Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter Monday. Legal experts – and doctors – will be watching to see if new standards are set for future cases of alleged medical negligence.
Why are Galapagos sea lions moving to Peru?

A colony of sea lions from the Galapagos Islands recently migrated 1,000 miles southeast to Peru, say a Lima-based ocean group. Was this migration – and others like it – caused by climate change?