1.2 million apply for Jackson memorial tickets

More than a million fans from around the world applied for 17,500 free tickets to Michael Jackson's public memorial service next week, organizers said on Friday.

Defiant Honduras withdraws from OAS

Honduras rebuffed demands by the international community to reinstate President Manuel Zelaya and pulled out of the Organization of American States, thrusting the nation deeper into  crisis.

Analysis: Armstrong could spark best Tour ever

Analysis: Cyclist looks as good as ever, but even-better teammate stands in his way

July 4 fireworks shows go up in smoke

With the recession eating away at state and local budgets everywhere, it will be a silent Fourth of July across the country for many communities that have canceled their annual fireworks shows.

Rural S.C. terrorized by 5 killings in past week

A terrified rural South Carolina community hunkered down over the Fourth of July after the sheriff said a serial killer was on the loose, and longtime residents were reminded of a murderer who terrorized the town in the 1960s.

‘Car guys' retrain but downshift to lower pay
Big, burly and a "car guy" since high school, Tom Persinger worked for years at General Motors. Now he's a nurse's aide earning $12 an hour. "I've been humbled quite a bit," he said.

Cops: Ariz. mom led sons on crime spree
The case of an Arizona mother who allegedly led her sons on a crime spree has outraged authorities and the public and drawn comparisons to "Ma Barker," the infamous mom in the early 1900s.

Up to 6,000 exposed to hepatitis at hospital
A former surgery technician may have exposed thousands of Colorado patients to hepatitis C when she swapped her own dirty syringes for ones filled with a powerful narcotic, officials said.

Lady Liberty's crown reopens

The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown in nearly eight years began the arduous climb on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom and national pride.

N. Korea marks July 4 with missile barrage

North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, a violation of U.N. resolutions and an apparent message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day.