CONSUMER AFFAIRS: FTC’s report on consumer fraud, part 3

This is the final of three columns on the Federal Trade Commission’s publication, “Consumer Fraud in the United States, 2011.” The publication presents findings of a survey the agency commissioned to examine consumer experiences involving fraud.

Girl's suicide after alleged attack troubles town

One evening last Labor Day weekend, 15-year-old Audrie Pott headed to a friend's house. Unbeknownst to their parents, the girls planned to party.

In Ethiopia, African Union celebrates 50 years

US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday May 25, 2013. Making his first official trip to sub-Saharan Africa, Kerry on Saturday demanded that Nigeria respect human rights as it cracks down on Islamist extremists and pled…

In Ethiopia, African Union celebrates 50 years

US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday May 25, 2013. Making his first official trip to sub-Saharan Africa, Kerry on Saturday demanded that Nigeria respect human rights as it cracks down on Islamist …

In Ethiopia, African Union celebrates 50 years

US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday May 25, 2013. Making his first official trip to sub-Saharan Africa, Kerry on Saturday demanded that Nigeria respect human rights as it cracks down on Islamist extremists and pledged to work hard in the coming months t…

In Ethiopia, African Union celebrates 50 years

The African Union on Saturday marked 50 years since the founding of a continentwide organization that helped liberate Africa from colonial masters and which now is trying to stay relevant on a continent regularly troubled by conflict.

UK zookeeper dies from tiger attack injuries

British police say a zookeeper who was injured in a tiger attack at an animal park has died.

Pirates release German ship's 4 crew members

A German shipping company says four crew members from one of its vessels have been released a month after being kidnapped by pirates off Equatorial Guinea's coast.

Hagel to address West Pointers amid sex scandals

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is scheduled to speak to about 1,000 graduates at West Point.

Saudi Arabia warns against Iran's nuclear program

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has warned against the danger of Iran's nuclear program to the region's security and said Iran should not threaten its neighbors since countries in the region harbor no ill-intentions to the Islamic Republic.

Improving economy changes political landscape

FILE - In this May 15, 2013, file photo, President Barack Obama speaks on the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative groups for extra tax scrutiny in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The economy is clearly, if slowly, recovering on Obama’s watch and robbing Repub…

Improving economy changes political landscape

FILE - In this May 16, 2013, file photo, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Alleged misbehavior by the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies gives the GOP something else to talk about and investigate as the eco…

Improving economy changes political landscape

Alleged misbehavior by the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies gives the GOP something else to talk about and investigate as the economy clearly, if slowly, recovers on President Barack Obama's watch, robbing Republicans of a central argument against Democrats.

Nico Rosberg takes pole position for Monaco GP

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany steers his car during the third free practice session at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Saturday, May 25, 2013. The formula one race will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

Nico Rosberg takes pole position for Monaco GP

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil steers his car during the third free practice at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Saturday, May 25, 2013. The Formula one race will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Nico Rosberg takes pole position for Monaco GP

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steers his car during the third free practice at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Saturday, May 25, 2013. The Formula one race will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Nico Rosberg takes pole position for Monaco GP

Nico Rosberg set the fastest qualifying time at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday to secure his third consecutive pole position and a fourth straight for Mercedes.

Obama sees terror threat reduced to pre-9/11 level

Some call it wishful thinking, but President Barack Obama has all but declared an end to the global war on terror.

Jury convicts former South Texas DA of corruption

A former Texas prosecutor and one-time candidate for Congress was convicted Friday of accepting bribes in exchange for court favors, including an $80,000 payment in a scheme that allowed a convicted murder to escape.

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

People dressed in WWII Communist guerilla attire sing in Kumrovec, some 45 kilometers (29 miles) northwest of Zagreb, Croatia, Saturday, May 25, 2013. In Kumrovec, the birthplace of Yugoslavia's late communist leader Josip Broz Tito, thousands gathered Saturday to mark his birthday and pay t…

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

A woman carries a photo of Josip Broz Tito, the late Yugoslav Communist dictator, in Kumrovec, some 45 kilometers (29 miles) northwest of Zagreb, Croatia, Saturday, May 25, 2013. In Kumrovec, the birthplace of Tito, thousands gathered Saturday to mark his birthday and pay their respects to h…

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

A statue of Josip Broz Tito, the late Yugoslav Communist leader, is seen in Kumrovec, some 45 kilometers (29 miles) northwest of Zagreb, Croatia, Saturday, May 25, 2013. In Kumrovec, the birthplace of Tito, thousands gathered Saturday to mark his birthday and pay their respects to him and th…

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

Visitors look at postcards showing late Yugoslavia’s communist leader Josip Broz Tito in the souvenir store in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, May 25, 2013. While banished and vilified during the nationalist euphoria that followed the bloody breakup in the early 1990s’, remembering Yugoslavia ha…

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

A street vendor sales badges that show late Yugoslavia’s communist leader Josip Broz Tito and badges with old Yugoslav flag that read

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

Forget the European Union, many in this Croatian village are saying. The group of nations being celebrated this weekend is one that died more than 20 years ago when Yugoslavia _ now fervently remembered as a haven of peace, prosperity and equality _ fell apart in a cascade of ethnic wars.