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Death Toll in Oklahoma Lowered to 24; Search for Survivors Continues
Officials in Oklahoma have lowered the number of deaths suffered to 24 in the massive tornado that swept through the town of Moore Monday night. Originally, the figure had been as high as 51, probably a result of double-counting.
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Boston Marathon Bombers: One Suspect Captured; One Dead [UPDATED]
The second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing has been captured. Dzokhar Tsarnaev was taken into police custody Friday night -- five days after the bombing that left three dead and left more than 100 injured, police said. The 19-year-old was apprehended after a manhunt that began Thursday night with the fatal shooting of an MIT officer and extended into the evening hours on Friday.
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FBI Releases Images, Video of Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects
Special Agent Rick DesLauriers of the FBI, who is leading the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings, just held a press conference in which he revealed that there are two suspects. The FBI released photographs and video of two men believed to be responsible for the attacks.
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5-15 Dead, 160 Injured in Explosion at Texas Fertilizer Plant; Rescue Operations Continue
Authorities say that five to 15 people may have died in last night's massive explosion at the West Fertilizer Plant in West, Texas. Many more, perhaps more than 160, were injured.
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Conflicting Reports Regarding a Possible Arrest in Boston Bombings [UPDATED]
2:45 p.m. (EST): The Boston Police Department has announced that "there has not been an arrest in the Marathon attack." Investigations are ongoing.
2:35 p.m.: CNN is retracting their previous report that an arrest has been made in the Boston Marathon bombings. Other sources are reporting that officials are close to identifying a suspect after reviewing area surveillance video, but no arrests have been made.
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Letters Containing Ricin Sent to President, Two Senators [UPDATED]
1:10 p.m. (EST): A third letter, this one sent to Senator Joe Manchin (D.-W.V.), has been found to contain ricin.
12:45 p.m. (EST): FBI spokesman Paul Bresson has confirmed that the substance found in the letter to the president was ricin.
The Secret Service says that a letter containing a suspicious substance and addressed to President Obama was received on Tuesday at a White House mail facility. This comes just after a letter sent to Senator Roger Wicker (R.-Miss.) was found to contain the poison ricin.
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Twin Explosions at Boston Marathon Finish Line [UPDATED]
9 p.m. (EST): The final press conference of the day with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis and various other officials just concluded. The FBI is now leading investigations of the events. Davis confirmed that three people were killed in today's blasts.
CNN is reporting that one of the victims killed was an 8-year-old boy. The Wall Street Journal had reported that as many as five other unexploded devices were found around Boston, but investigators now doubt that they were actually bombs.
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New Pope Elected — Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, Now Called Francis I
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Live Video of the Chimney at the Sistine Chapel — Next Vote Coming Up Soon
Wednesday morning's vote at the papal conclave at the Vatican led to black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, meaning no new pope after the cardinals' second vote.
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New Movies: ‘Oz the Great and Powerful,’ ‘Dead Man Down’
The recent 'Amazing Spider-Man' and the upcoming 'Man of Steel' seem to get all the attention regarding studios' attempt to "reboot" franchises, but that's pretty much the same thing as what's going on with 'Oz the Great and Powerful.' If it succeeds at the box office, we may end up with a new version of 'The Wizard of Oz' at some point very soon, even though the producers have said that's not their goal.
Also opening this week is a dark tale of blackmail and revenge.
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What We Know About Pope Benedict’s Resignation
In stunning news, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday morning from the Vatican that he will resign his position as head of the Catholic Church, effective on February 28. This has already set off a flurry of speculation, largely because no pope has voluntarily done so since the year 1415.
The news is still coming in, but here's what we know so far:
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Celebrity Birthdays for December 31 — Anthony Hopkins and More
Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Age: 75
Occupation: Actor
Known For: His status as one of the world's greatest living actors, roles in dozens of films including his Oscar-winning portrayal of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs,' and being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993
