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Gunmen assassinate Shiite official in Iraq
Gunmen on a motorcycle assassinated an official of Iraq's biggest Shiite party Friday in the southern city of Basra, police said.
Statue of Liberty's crown may reopen to public
The National Park Service is considering reopening Lady Liberty's crown for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to documents a congressman released on July Fourth.
Farmers say salmonella scare has hurt tomato sales
Expect fewer slices of red, ripe tomatoes next to the grill this holiday weekend.
Gas prices hit another high for holiday weekend
Fireworks aren't the only thing skyrocketing on this Fourth of July. The price of gas has hit another all-time high.
US marks Independence Day with fireworks, revelry
Americans across the country mixed patriotism and plain old good fun to mark Independence Day on Friday, with solemn ceremony alternating with parades, fireworks and hot-dog-eating hijinks.
5 arrested in Rainbow Family clash with feds
About 400 members of the Rainbow Family threw rocks and sticks at 10 federal officers as they tried to arrest a member of the group, the U.S. Forest Service said Friday.
Bush welcomes new US citizens on 4th of July
President Bush invoked the memory of Thomas Jefferson Friday in welcoming new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony at Monticello, saying "I'll be proud to call you a fellow American."
Former Republican NC Sen. Jesse Helms dies at 86
Former Sen. Jesse Helms, an unyielding champion of the conservative movement who spent three combative and sometimes caustic decades in Congress, where he relished his battles against liberals, Communists and occasionally a fellow Republican, died on the Fourth of July. He was 86.
4 people dead in Milwaukee shooting; no arrests
At least one person fired a gun into a crowd in a street early Friday, killing four people and sending panicked revelers running for cover, police said.
State media: Iran responds to nuclear proposal
Iran delivered its response Friday to an international offer of incentives for it to suspend uranium enrichment, a central part of its nuclear program, state television reported.
Betancourt arrives in France with tears of joy
Arriving to a hero's welcome in France, Ingrid Betancourt said Friday that she cried a lot during her six years as a prisoner in the Colombian jungle. Today, she said, "I cry with joy."
Ferry sinking kills 38
A ferry sank in a river in Myanmar's cyclone-battered Irrawaddy delta, killing nearly 40 people, state-media reported Friday.
White House says ruling could free detainees in US
The White House said Thursday that dangerous detainees at Guantanamo Bay could end up walking Main Street U.S.A. as a result of last month's Supreme Court ruling about detainees' legal rights. Federal appeals courts, however, have indicated they have no intention of letting that happen.
Colombia rescue hinged on rebel disarray, payback
The plan was nothing if not audacious: A turncoat persuades rebels to bring together their most prized hostages and march them 90 miles through Colombia's wilderness. A month later, disguised commandos primed with acting lessons land in a helicopter and trick the rebels into handing them over.
Wind keeps California fires raging on 2 fronts
A pair of out-of-control wildfires roared along California's central coast Friday, chewing through opposite ends of a parched forest and threatening a total of more than 4,500 homes.
Obama says Iraq trip could refine his policy
Democrat Barack Obama struggled Thursday to explain how his upcoming trip to Iraq might refine, but not basically alter, his promise to quickly remove U.S. combat troops from the war.
Bush will attend opening ceremonies of Olympics
President Bush will attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing, the White House said Thursday. The announcement quashed any talk of a presidential boycott over China's violent crackdown after anti-government riots and protests in Tibet.
Pentagon extends tour of Marines in Afghanistan
The Pentagon has extended the tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time.
Prosecutors: Deception ran deep in Vt. kidnapping
A Vermont man whose 12-year-old niece was found dead near his home carefully orchestrated events and e-mails to make it appear she had gone to see someone she met online, prosecutors said Thursday as they charged him with kidnapping.
Oil steady above $145 in Asia on Saudi declaration
Oil prices remained near record highs above $145 a barrel in Asia after Saudi Arabia's oil minister suggested his country doesn't plan to boost production.