Violence

US officials start talks on arming Syria's rebels

By BRADLEY KLAPPERAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration began discussing Monday whether the Assad regime's rapid military advance across the heart of Syria necessitates a drastic U.S. response, with officials saying a decision on arming beleaguered rebels could happen

Records show past turmoil in Calif. gunman's home

By AMY TAXIN and TAMI ABDOLLAHAssociated Press SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - The mother of a gunman who fatally shot five people during a chaotic spate of violence last week said the shooter's father threatened to kill her on at least two occasions during their tumultuous marriage, according to

Witch hunts in Papua New Guinea linked to jealousy

By ROD McGUIRKAssociated Press CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - On a tropical island in Papua New Guinea where most people live in huts, a mob armed with guns, machetes and axes stormed a wooden house by night. They seized Helen Rumbali and three female relatives, set the building on fire and took the

AP sources: US close to OK on arming Syrian rebels

By BRADLEY KLAPPERAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Moved by the Assad regime's rapid advance, the Obama administration could decide this week to approve lethal aid for the beleaguered Syrian rebels and will weigh the merits of a less likely move to send in U.S. airpower to enforce a no-fly