Fla lt gov quits; tied to charity in probe
Written by CURT ANDERSON,Associated Press GARY FINEOUT,Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — An investigation of a purported veterans' charity in Florida led to the resignation of the state's lieutenant governor, who once did public relations for the nonprofit accused of using Internet cafes as a front for an illegal gambling operation.
Obama talks of resuming White House tours for kids
Written by NEDRA PICKLER,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is opening the door to the possibility of a resumption of White House tours for student groups amid some confusion over who made the ultimate decision to cancel them.
Young tree left at tiny park where 1 was stolen
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Was it remorse — or a tiny tree fairy? Portland parks officials say a Douglas Fir sapling resembling one stolen from a tiny Portland park has appeared at the 2-foot-diameter oasis.
Argentine Jorge Bergoglio elected Pope Francis
Written by NICOLE WINFIELD,Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Argentine Jorge Bergoglio has been elected pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis.
Catholic church has new pope; white smoke rises
Written by NICOLE WINFIELD,Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals elected a new pope to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics on Wednesday, overcoming deep divisions to select the 266th pope in a remarkably fast conclave.
Fire burns after tug, barge hit La. gas pipeline
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAFITTE, La. (AP) — A pipeline fire that was ignited when the pipe was hit by a tug boat pushing an oil barge burned into the early morning hours Wednesday in a bayou south of New Orleans.
Syria's war affects generation of children
Written by BASSEM MROUE,Associated Press
BEIRUT (AP) — Mohammed works at a Beirut supermarket where he waits on customers and carries their groceries home for a small tip that the 14-year-old saves to send later to his family in a village in northeastern Syria.
GOP sends mixed signals on Obama's outreach effort
Written by JOSH LEDERMAN,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are sending mixed signals in agreeing to meet with President Barack Obama for talks over the budget impasse, while Obama is conceding that a political accommodation may be impossible.