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FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — The Army psychiatrist on trial for the 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood passed on his final chance to address jurors before they started deliberating Thursday, even after prosecutors insisted they hand down a verdict that would a...

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AP) — The U.S. soldier who massacred 16 Afghan villagers apologized for his “act of cowardice” as he made his case for why he should one day have a shot at freedom.
Staff Sgt. Robert Bales said Thursday that he was operat...

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A California teen whose mother and brother were killed by a family friend said on national television Thursday that she once confided with the man about troubles with her mother and explained text messages exchanged on the day of the atta...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Wentworth Miller is declining an invitation to be an honored guest at a film festival in Russia because he is gay.
The 41-year-old actor said in a letter Wednesday to organizers of the St. Petersburg International Film Festival that he ...

NEW YORK (AP) — There will be a different type of Sandman featured at the Apollo next month.
Metallica is set to rock the legendary Harlem venue on Sept. 21. They will promote their 3-D concert-action film, “Metallica Through the Never,” released in IMAX ...

WINTER HAVEN (AP) — Boasting obscure characters and detailed story lines, several new attractions opened at theme parks this summer in Central Florida. The new rides and areas are much different from those just a generation ago, when Dumbo the Flying Elep...

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week after reaching the lowest level in 5 ½ years. But the broader trend suggests companies are laying off fewer workers and could step up hiring in the months ahead.
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GOMA, Congo (AP) — Neighbors said at least five civilians were hit by mortar fire in the eastern Congo city of Goma on Thursday during a second day of heavy fighting between government forces and M23 rebels to the north of the town.
The violence marked t...

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Police say an intruder had been living for a week on Jennifer Lopez’s property in the Hamptons while she was away.
Southampton police said Wednesday she had an order of protection against 49-year-old John Dubis of Rhode Island. I...

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The jackpot in the Florida Lotto game has grown to $58 million after no one matched the six winning numbers in the latest drawing, lottery officials said Thursday.
A total of 33 tickets matched five numbers to win $5,426 each; 2,111 ti...