Nation & World

Obama officials learned of IRS probe during 2012 campaign

Ousted IRS chief claims no laws were broken

WASHINGTON -- Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from Tea Party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said Friday, disclosing that Obama administration officials knew there was a probe during the heat of the presidential campaign.

Bombs targeting Sunnis kill at least 76 in Iraq

BAGHDAD — Bombs struck Sunni areas in Baghdad and surrounding areas Friday, killing at least 76 people in the deadliest day in Iraq in more than eight months, officials said, as a spike in violence has raised fears the country could be on the path to a new round of sectarian bloodshed.

Canada abuzz over purported crack video of mayor

TORONTO — A video purportedly of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack has caused an uproar in Canada. Ford on Friday called the allegations "ridiculous."The video has not been released publicly, and there is no way to verify whether it is authentic. Reports by gossip website Gawker and the Toronto Star said it was taken by a man who claimed he had sold crack to Ford. The Associated Press hasn't seen the video.

Sailor killed in SEALs training accident at Fort Knox

Seven people injured when Humvee overturns

A U.S. sailor was killed and seven people were injured in a training exercise for SEAL forces in Fort Knox, Ky., officials said Friday.

Texas residents missing after tornadoes found safe

GRANBURY, Texas (AP) — People who were missing in the wake of the destructive tornadoes in North Texas have been found safe, officials said Friday, but they didn't indicate when residents of one hard-hit neighborhood will be allowed to return to survey damage to their homes.

Mega Millions winner tries to lead quiet life

Woman moves self, daughters from Idaho to California

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — Holly Lahti won one of the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history then seemed to disappear from the face of the Earth. She actually moved to the California coast.Lahti, 31, of Rathdrum, Idaho, gave her first interview this week since splitting a $380 million Mega Millions jackpot in January 2011.

Powerball jackpot grows to $600 million

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Powerball officials say the jackpot has climbed to an estimated $600 million, making it the largest prize in the game's history and the world's second largest lottery prize.

Officials reject private interview on Benghazi

Republican request a precondition of public testimony

WASHINGTON — The two retired senior U.S. officials who oversaw an internal State Department review of last year's attacks on U.S. government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday rejected as "an inappropriate precondition" a Republican request that they submit to a closed-door interview before testifying in public.

Tribes fight suicide, a leading killer of native youth

SEATTLE — Suicide stalks Indian Country, claiming more lives of native youth than those in any other population, not only in Washington, but nationally.

Cyclone Mahasen fizzles as it hits Bangladesh

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh — Cyclone Mahasan weakened Thursday afternoon into a tropical storm and then dissipated, causing far less damage than had been feared as it passed over Bangladesh and spared Myanmar almost entirely, meteorological officials said.

Watchdog: Israel trying to legalize settlements

JERUSALEM — An Israeli watchdog group on Thursday accused the government of taking steps to legalize four unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank, days before the U.S. secretary of state is set to arrive on a new peace mission.

Polar bear cub orphaned in Alaska at Buffalo zoo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — It may have been the most anticipated package ever delivered to the Buffalo Zoo: an orphaned polar bear cub that arrived Wednesday from Alaska and will spend the summer with another cub born six months ago.

Police: 2nd suspect arrested in parade shooting

NEW ORLEANS — A second suspect has been arrested in the shooting that injured 20 people at a parade on Mother's Day, police said Thursday afternoon.

Bomb kills 15, including 6 Americans, in Afghan capital

Militant group claims responsibility for suicide attack

KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide car bombing tore through a U.S. convoy during rush hour in the Afghan capital on Thursday, killing at least 15 people, including six U.S. military advisers and two children, officials said. U.S. soldiers rushed to the scene to help, including some wearing only T-shirts or shorts under their body armor.

Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Powerball jackpot has jumped to $550 million, a major climb less than a day after the latest drawing produced no winning ticket.