Nation & World

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.

O.J. back in court; Day 4 of bid for new Vegas trial

LAS VEGAS — O.J. Simpson, a former star athlete who once lived for the spotlight, was back on stage telling the grim story of the Las Vegas afternoon in 2007 that sent him to prison.

Obama: No special prosecutor to investigate IRS

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama dismissed the idea of a special prosecutor to investigate the Internal Revenue Service Thursday, saying probes by Congress and the Justice Department should be able to figure out who was responsible for improperly targeting tea party groups when they applied for tax-exempt status.

Cambodian shoe factory collapse kills 2, injures 7

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The ceiling of a Cambodian factory that makes Asics sneakers collapsed on workers early Thursday, killing two people and injuring seven, in the latest accident to spotlight lax safety conditions in the global garment industry.

Dems rally behind White House on Benghazi

WASHINGTON — Democrats rallied behind President Barack Obama in the long-running, bitter dispute over the administration's handling of the Benghazi attack, arguing that the White House's latest email disclosure undermines Republican claims of a cover-up.

10 tornadoes whipped through Texas; 6 dead

A rash of tornadoes slammed into several small communities in North Texas overnight, leaving at least six people dead, dozens more injured and hundreds homeless. The violent spring storm scattered bodies, flattened homes and threw trailers onto cars.

Officials: ‘Multiple fatalities’ in Texas tornado

GRANBURY, Texas (AP) — Officials report a tornado caused “multiple fatalities” as it tore through two neighborhoods of a North Texas town.

IRS commissioner ousted over targeting of Tea Party

Obama speaks of unspeakable 'misconduct' by agency employees

WASHINGTON — Hurrying to check a growing controversy, President Barack Obama ousted the acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service late Wednesday amid an outcry over revelations that the agency had improperly targeted tea party groups for scrutiny when they filed for tax-exempt status.

Russians attempt to topple Google in Vietnam

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam's booming Internet scene is littered with failed startups that tried to take on Google and other entrenched U.S web companies. That's not deterring a newly launched Russian-Vietnamese outfit which believes it can unseat the American search engine in this fast-growing Asian market and also contend with a jittery, authoritarian government seeking to clamp down on freedom of expression online.

Conn. chef set to feast on cicadas during invasion

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Connecticut chef Bun Lai is already known for his Mexican grasshopper dish and his fried rice with meal worms and crickets. But he might soon also be recognized as the cicada chef.