Dorner's remains ID'd, cause of death unclear
Written by TAMI ABDOLLAH,Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Investigators determined fairly quickly that the burned human remains found after a shootout in Southern California mountains are those of Christopher Dorner, the ex-police officer suspected in a rampage that left four people dead. But the answer to a second question will likely prove more elusive — how did he die?
Hagel stalled, but confirmation still expected
Written by ROBERT BURNS,AP National Security Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — By delaying a confirmation vote on Chuck Hagel to be defense secretary, Senate Republicans have forced Leon Panetta to remain on the job he is eager to give up. But they've also given the White House an opportunity to cast the GOP as obstructing President Barack Obama's assembly of a second-term national security team.
Meteor falls in Russia, 700 injured by blasts
Written by JIM HEINTZ,Associated Press
MOSCOW (AP) — A meteor streaked through the sky and exploded Friday over Russia's Ural Mountains with the power of an atomic bomb, its sonic blasts shattering countless windows and injuring more than 750 people. The spectacle deeply frightened thousands, with some elderly women declaring the world was coming to an end.
My classmate, the robot: NY pupil attends remotely
Written by CAROLYN THOMPSON,Associated Press
WEST SENECA, N.Y. (AP) — In an elementary school hallway, a teacher takes her second-graders to the library, leading a single-file line of giggling boys and girls that's perfectly ordinary until you get to a sleek white robot with a video screen showing the face of a smiling, chubby-cheeked boy.
Asteroid will buzz Earth, miss by 17,150 miles
Written by MARCIA DUNN,AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A 150-foot asteroid hurtled toward Earth's backyard, destined Friday to make the closest known flyby for a rock of its size.
Coast Guard: Cruise ship stopped; towline broken
Written by JAY REEVES,Associated Press RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI,Associated Press
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — The crippled Carnival cruise slowly making its way back to dry land suffered another setback Thursday when a tow line snapped, setting the ship adrift once again as crews worked to repair it.
Sharp fall in US jobless claims boosts outlook
Written by CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER,AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The outlook for the U.S. job market is brightening after a government report showed a sharp drop in the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits.
Democrats to unveil bill to replace budget cuts
Written by ANDREW TAYLOR,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate are unveiling legislation Thursday to avoid a looming set of sharp, across-the-board spending cuts set to strike the Pentagon and domestic agencies in just two weeks.