TOWSON, Md. – A Maryland teenager calmly admitted in court Monday that he beat his mother to death with a baseball bat after an argument over his grades at a prestigious private school. Lewin C. Powell III, 16, wore a dark suit and showed no emotion as he answered questions …
Read More »Reports: John Thain Resigns From Bank of America
NEW YORK – Media reports Thursday said former Merrill Lynch & Co. CEO John Thain has resigned from Bank of America Corp. following news that Merrill had moved up its yearend bonuses, paying them just before BofA’s government-brokered acquisition of Merrill was completed. CNBC and The Wall Street Journal’s Web …
Read More »U.S. Signs Nuclear Cooperation Agreement With the United Arab Emirates
WASHINGTON – The Bush administration signed a nuclear cooperation agreement on Thursday with the United Arab Emirates, a last-minute deal that saddles the coming Obama administration with a decision on helping a Persian Gulf ally develop nuclear power despite concerns in Congress. The deal sets the legal groundwork for U.S. …
Read More »4.5-Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Seattle Area, Causes No Damage
SEATTLE – There were no immediate reports of damage from a 4.5-magnitude earthquake that rattled the Seattle and Puget Sound area early Friday, but it was a reminder the urban area is sitting on shaky ground. The quake at 5:25 a.m. was centered 14 miles northwest of Seattle near Kingston, …
Read More »Federal Officials Say School Didn't Stop Racial, Sexual Harassment Against Students
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii ( – Federal education officials have found that the Hawaii Department of Education failed to stop racial and sexual harassment at schools in the Big Island’s Kealakehe complex. The U.S. Department of Education’s report found that the students suffered racially and sexual insults, and a number of incidents …
Read More »Germans, Aged 5 and 7, Try to Elope for Africa Wedding
Three German children have been caught trying to run away to Africa for a wedding in the sun. Young romantic Mika, 6, and his 7-year-old girlfriend Anna Bell were so enamored with each other they planned an escape to tie the knot in a warmer climate. Dragging along Mika’s sister …
Read More »Fired for Being Too Fat? Michigan Man Claims Waistline Got Him Sacked
PONTIAC, Mich. – A 61-year-old Michigan man has sued his former employer, claiming he was fired from a $75,000-a-year salesman’s job because of his waistline. But the employer says Patrick J. Ronayne was let go because of his performance, not his weight. The Detroit News reports Thursday that Ronayne’s lawsuit …
Read More »Florida Man Accused of Strangling Girlfriend With Bra
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police call it a combative relationship that ended when the boyfriend strangled his girlfriend using a bra. Abdullah Khalig was arrested Tuesday on one count of first-degree murder. The 37-year-old was being held at the Orange County Jail without bail. He denies killing 29-year-old Lolitta Flores. …
Read More »Netbooks May Offer Hackers Private Data Gateway
TAIPEI – Netbook web surfers beware. That low-cost netbook you’re using could be a high-speed gateway into your life, bank accounts, passwords and other personal data. Netbooks have made headlines since their 2007 launch, making PCs accessible to millions of non-traditional users. But their cheap cost could also carry a …
Read More »Illegal Entry Charges Could Land U.S. Journalists in North Korean Prison for Years
SEOUL, South Korea – Two American journalists detained in North Korea could land in a notorious labor camp for years if convicted on charges of illegal entry and “hostile acts.” But the regime may be more interested in using the reporters as leverage in talks with the U.S. They could …
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