Blast near aid offices wounds 1 in NW Pakistan

By KIM GAMEL

A security guard has been wounded in an explosion outside the office of a non-governmental organization in the main city in northwestern Pakistan.

New Nov 20, 2009 | 9:35 pm

No appeal of dismissed conviction in MySpace case

Prosecutors say they will not appeal the dismissal of a woman's convictions in a MySpace hoax directed at a 13-year-old girl who committed suicide.

New Nov 20, 2009 | 9:35 pm

China says 15 dead, 114 trapped in mine explosion

By CARA ANNA

A gas explosion tore through a coal mine in northern China on Saturday, killing 15 people and trapping another 114 nearly a third of a mile under ground, central government authorities said.

New Nov 20, 2009 | 9:15 pm

Resort island reels after deadly attack by gunman

By GEMMA CASAS

After going on a shooting rampage that left a trail of victims on the Pacific resort island of Saipan, the gunman drove to a scenic, rocky cliff where untold numbers of Japanese men, women and children plunged to their deaths to avoid capture during World War II, according to police and w…

New Nov 20, 2009 | 9:15 pm

Army relents, will allow media at Palin book event

The U.S. Army said Friday it would open Sarah Palin's appearance on Fort Bragg to media, a reversal from earlier in the week when the military wanted the event closed out of fears it would prompt political grandstanding against President Barack Obama.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:55 pm

Calif. launches probe into scam targeting churches

By ROBERT JABLON

California is investigating several companies suspected of bilking churches nationwide of hundreds of thousands of dollars through fraudulent computer leasing schemes, authorities said Friday.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:50 pm

Police: NC girl raped, killed on day she was taken

By ALYSIA PATTERSON

A 5-year-old North Carolina girl was raped and killed the same day she was taken from her home, according to an arrest warrant released Friday. Shaniya Davis was sexually assaulted and asphyxiated Nov. 10, the day her mother reported her missing from the trailer park where she was staying…

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:45 pm

Prosecutor: Alleged Maui spy is difficult but sane

By HERBERT A. SAMPLE

A Maui man accused of spying for China is difficult to work with and makes wild exaggerations but is legally able to stand trial, a federal prosecutor asserted Friday.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:45 pm

Obituaries in the news

Nao Takasugi

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:40 pm

3-year-old leads toddler to safety in Ariz. fire

A 3-year-old Arizona boy helped his 1-year-old sister escape Friday from a house fire that killed their mother and injured two other adults, authorities said.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:35 pm

Chinese authorities say 11 people confirmed dead in coal mine explosion, 128 trapped.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:30 pm

Driver loses control, hits 11 people in Alabama

Police are investigating after a woman lost control of her car and struck 10 children and an adult outside a middle school in Alabama.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:25 pm

Porn mogul's son to be tried in girlfriend's death

The son of a late San Francisco pornography mogul will stand trial on accusations that he crushed his ex-girlfriend's skull with a baseball bat.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:00 pm

Authorities: Man tied lizards to chest at airport

Federal officials say they arrested a man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest to get through customs at Los Angeles International Airport.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:55 pm

Arizona police arrest parents of rape victim

The parents of an 8-year-old Liberian girl who was allegedly raped by four boys have been arrested on felony child abuse charges.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:50 pm

GOP report: Deal with Sacramento mayor was rushed

By JULIET WILLIAMS

Two congressional Republicans say federal prosecutors rushed into a settlement with a nonprofit operated by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson that had been accused of misspending government grants.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:35 pm

Levi Johnston's mother gets 3 years in drug case

The mother of the man former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol had planned to marry has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:35 pm

Senator: USPS to resume North Pole Santa letters

By RACHEL D'ORO

North Pole elves have good reason to celebrate again, thanks to a decision by the U.S. Postal Service to resume a Santa Claus letter program that's thrilled children from around the world for decades.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:10 pm

US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 842

By The Associated Press

As of Friday, Nov. 18, 2009, at least 842 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures Friday at 10 a.m. EST.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:05 pm