AP Exclusive: Air Force sidelines 17 ICBM officers
Written by ROBERT BURNS,AP National Security Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force stripped an unprecedented 17 officers of their authority to control — and, if necessary, launch — nuclear missiles after a string of unpublicized failings, including a remarkably dim review of their unit's launch skills. The group's deputy commander said it is suffering "rot" within its ranks.
In rural W.Va., schools rethink their role
Written by PHILIP ELLIOTT,Associated Press
WAR, W.Va. (AP) — When school started here in the fall, 1 out of 7 classrooms was without a teacher; leaders couldn't recruit enough educators to this sparsely populated rural area at the southern tip of West Virginia.
Colorado shootings suspect to enter insanity plea
Written by DAN ELLIOTT,Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — The man accused in the deadly Colorado theater shootings wants to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, his lawyers said Tuesday, despite their fears that the plea could severely hamper his ability to mount a defense against the death penalty.
FTC puts background check sites on notice
Written by ANNE FLAHERTY,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators on Tuesday warned several companies that the quick, easy background checks they are providing online might violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
East about to be overrun by billions of cicadas
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Any day now, billions of cicadas with bulging red eyes will crawl out of the earth after 17 years underground and overrun the East Coast. The insects will arrive in such numbers that people from North Carolina to Connecticut will be outnumbered roughly 600-to-1. Maybe more.
Bangladesh garment accident death toll passes 700
Written by JULHAS ALAM,Associated Press
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Hundreds of survivors of last month's collapse of a building housing garment factories in Bangladesh protested for compensation Tuesday, as the death toll from the country's worst-ever industrial disaster passed 700.
Diplomat: US team stopped from going to Benghazi
Written by DONNA CASSATA,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four members of Army special forces ready to head to Benghazi, Libya, after the deadly assault on the American diplomatic mission had ended were told not to go, according to a former top diplomat.
Internet sales tax bill faces tough sell in House
Written by STEPHEN OHLEMACHER,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Traditional retailers and cash-strapped states face a tough sell in the House as they lobby Congress to limit tax-free shopping on the Internet.