U.S. embassy in Baghdad to open late, over budget

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
WASHINGTON -- The massive U.S. embassy under construction in Baghdad could cost $144 million more than projected and will open months behind schedule because of poor planning, shoddy workmanship, internal disputes and last-minute changes sought by State Department officials, according to U.S. officials and a department document provided to Congress.

Explosion at NYC apartment building injures 20

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
An apparent gas leak caused a Manhattan apartment building to explode, injuring 20 people, four of them children who were critically burned, officials said.

San Diego diocese asks parishioners, priests to help pay for abuse settlement

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
The Catholic Diocese of San Diego is asking parishioners and priests to make contributions to help pay for the recent $198.1 million sexual abuse settlement.

Obama: Private security making Iraq more dangerous for troops

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
AIKEN, S.C. -- White House hopeful Barack Obama on Saturday said private security contractors in Iraq are raising the risk for U.S. troops because Iraqis don't distinguish between the forces.

Protesters disrupt Denver's Columbus Day parade

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:39:00 EST
Protesters blocked the city's Columbus Day parade route Saturday, pouring a bucket filled with fake blood and dismembered baby dolls onto the street as police arrested 83 people.

Jailed fed prosecutor commits suicide

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
U.S. prison officials are investigating how a federal prosecutor from Florida indicted in an Internet sex sting committed suicide in his cell two weeks after a failed attempt.

Blackwater scrutinized

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told federal agents on Friday to ride with Blackwater USA escorts of diplomatic convoys in Baghdad to tighten oversight after a shooting in which private guards are accused of killing 13 Iraqi civilians.

President says torture not part of U.S. tactics

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
WASHINGTON -- President Bush defended his administration's methods of detaining and questioning terrorism suspects on Friday, calling them successful and lawful.

Tax-evading couple give up peacefully

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST
PLAINFIELD, N.H. -- The fugitive couple had been waiting on their porch for nearly eight months for law enforcement officials to make their move. "The word is 'poised,' " Ed Brown said recently, handgun wedged in his jeans, AK-47 assault rifle behind the door, as he stared at bags of explosives hanging from trees. His wife, Elaine, kept her pistol in a pouch with her reading glasses.

Quick read

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

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