Judges, journalists clash over courtroom tweets in trial of Hudson family killing

Long political fights ahead for posturing over dueling tax plans

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats and Republicans are forcing votes in Congress this coming week on competing tax plans that affect millionaires and smaller businesses, and they know the proposals are doomed from the start.

Prayers and silence mark Titanic centenary near spot of disaster

ABOARD MS BALMORAL (AP) - With prayers, a hymn and a moment of silence broken by a ship's deep whistle, passengers and crew on a memorial trip marked 100 years to the moment since the Titanic sent more than 1,500 people to a watery grave.

Obama: ‘Angry’ if Secret Service allegations true about hiring prostitutes in Columbia

CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) - President Barack Obama, speaking for the first time about allegations that Secret Service agents hired prostitutes, said Sunday that "of course I'll be angry" if those accusations are proven true by an investigation.

Nation new briefs

• DETAILS OF GOVERNMENT SWITCH TO PAPERLESS PAYMENTS: WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - How the changes in delivering Social Security and other government benefits will work:

Ticket to Titanic maiden voyage sold at NY auction for $56,250

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York auction house has sold an original ticket to the 1912 launch of the Titanic and a dinner menu from the ill-fated ocean liner, plus items recovered from the wreckage miles underwater.

NH police chief, days from retirement, shot dead

Obama pays $162,074 in taxes on $789,674 income

Nation news briefs

ARMY SERGEANT RECEIVES 2ND HIGHEST MILITARY HONOR: FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) - A Brazilian-born Army sergeant credited with saving two lives during an attack in Afghanistan while wounded has been presented with the nation's second highest military honor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Democrats ‘consultant slams Romney’s wife for not working; Obama defends rival’s wife

West prepares for dangerous fire season

GSA interns treated to conference at resort

‘White House: Failed NKorean launch 'provocative'

Prosecutors: Zimmerman ignored police dispatcher warning to not confront teen

Nation news briefs

MARC ANTHONY FILES FOR DIVORCE FROM JENNIFER LOPEZ: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Marc Anthony has made his breakup from Jennifer Lopez official by filing for divorce months after the superstar couple announced their separation.

Man shot to death while questioned in Boston probe

Damage: Thousands of homes, $1.5-$2B

50 hurt when Indiana school buses crash

Side Briefs

NEARLY ALL US STATES SEE HEFTY DROP IN TEEN BIRTHS: NEW YORK (AP) - The nation's record-low teen birth rate stems from robust declines in nearly every state, but most dramatically in several Mountain States and among Hispanics, according to a new government report.

Broke no laws, IRS official says, then takes 5th

Tornado death toll lowered to 24

Gay Fla. teen charged for her underage girlfriend

Pentagon wants $450M for Guantanamo

Texas judge: Lesbian couple can't cohabitate

Nation news briefs

POLICE DEFEND OFFICER WHO SHOT NY COLLEGE STUDENT: MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - The president of a New York police union defended an officer who accidentally killed a Hofstra University student during a standoff with an armed intruder, saying Tuesday the only person responsible for the woman's death was the gunman who held her hostage.

IRS official to take the 5th at House hearing

Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51

MOORE, Okla. (AP) - A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

Side Briefs

ANGRY MOB PELTS MAN THOUGHT TO BE SEX ATTACKER: DENVER (AP) - Residents angry that police had not warned them about sex assaults of children took matters into their own hands, chasing down a man they thought was the attacker, pelting him with rocks and leaving him with a bloody face in Colorado, authorities said Monday.

Volcano's ash prompts flight cancellations

Kentucky teen dies with dog lead on neck

Kentucky teen dies with dog lead on neck