U.S. Prosecutor to Invstigate CIA Detainee Abuse

Four people are being sought in the murder of a Texas doctor. Dr. Jorge Mario Gonzalez, 56, was shot and killed when he arrived home to find his home being burglarized. His wife and young son were with him, but hid in a closet and were not harmed. Authorities say they do not know if the home was targeted or if it was a random act, CNN.

U.S. prosecutor John Durham has been selected to investigate CIA detainee abuse. This comes on the heels of a new report that claims CIA agents “threatened to kill a key terror suspect’s children and sexually assault another’s mother,” BBC News.

Michael Jackson’s death has reportedly been ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles County coroner. An anonymous official told the AP that lethal levels of the anesthetic propofol were found in Jackson’s system, Sky News.

Paleontologists say Angola “holds a ‘museum in the ground’ of rare fossils – some actually jutting from the earth – waiting to be discovered.” Bones were found in the 1960s, but three decades of war took hold of the country, making it impossible for paleontologists to excavate, AFP.

Breaking: President Obama will nominate Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to a second term, aides report, New York Times.

S. Korean President to Meet With N. Korean Officials

South Korea’s president has agreed to meet with North Korean officials for the first time since taking office. Lee Myung-bak has invited the officials to attend the funeral of ex-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, and a meeting will take place hours before the funeral, BBC News.

Canadian authorities stepped up the manhunt for an American reality show contestant who is suspected of murdering his wife. Ryan Jenkins, 32, appeared on VH1’s “Megan Wants a Millionaire” and is believed to have strangled his wife, removed teeth and fingers from the body, and then stashed the remains in a suitcase before fleeing the U.S. Jasmine Fiore was found in a trash bin in California, AP.

Dozens of wildfires are raging near Athens, Greece, and several hundred people have been evacuated from nearby suburbs. The fire is contained in an area 25 miles wide and winds are calm today, but firefighters are afraid strong winds tomorrow could aid the fires, AP.

Hot Topic: Marines Fight With Little Aid From Afghans.

Over 100 Arrested in South Africa Protests

Protests in South Africa are increasing and over 100 people have been arrested this week alone. The protesters, mostly in townships, say they are lacking basic services, such as water and housing. President Zuma has pledged to eradicate poverty, but this comes amidst South Africa’s worst recession in almost two decades, BBC News.

A retired soldier killed a woman today at the Fort Lewis Post Exchange before turning the gun on himself. The man, a 59-year-old retired soldier, is in critical condition and it is not known if he knew the woman he killed, USA Today.

The complete opening remarks of President Obama’s news conference on healthcare can be found here (via BNO). The New York Times is also liveblogging the conference here.

Suspect in Six Murders in Police Custody

A man suspected of killing five people in Tennessee and one person in Alabama is in police custody, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirms. Police have not released how the victims died, but did say some of the victims were related, CNN.

Honduras is engaging in a new round of talks with ousted President Zelaya and coup leaders who overthrew him last month. President Óscar Arias of Costa Rica is mediating the talks, New York Times.

Hot Topic: Who will succeed Kim Jong Il?

Space Shuttle Endeavour Finally Launches

After five delays, the space shuttle Endeavour finally lifted off today from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle will link up with the international space station for a 16-day mission, CNN.

A man was killed by police today near the U.S. Capitol building after he fled from a routine traffic stop. The man did have a weapon and two officers were injured, but it is not known whether the man fired his gun or not. Witnesses say about 15 shots were fired, Washington Post.

Natalia Estemirova, a Russian human rights activist, has been found dead after she was abducted in Chechnya this morning. According to reports, “she had been gathering evidence of a campaign of house-burnings by government-backed militias.” Human Rights Watch, a prominent human rights organization, say they believe that Estemirova undoubtedly was targeted because of the case she was working on, BBC News.

The black boxes from the Iranian plane that crashed earlier today have been recovered, but are reported to be damaged. The plane, en route from Tehran to Yerevan, crashed 16 minutes after takeoff and killed all 168 people on board, BBC News.

Fourth Arrest in Florida Murders

A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the murders of a Florida couple last week, and police say as many as eight people may be involved with the killings. Wayne Coldiron, 41, Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr., 35, and Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr., 56, were arrested over the weekend, and Gary Lamont Sumner was arrested today. The couple murdered, the Billings, had 17 children, 12 of which were adopted, CNN.

Agreeing to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s request, Burma is set to release some political prisoners in order to allow them to take part in next year’s elections. There are an estimated 2,100 political prisoners in the country, and it is not known how many will be freed, BBC News.

For the first time in history, the U.S. budget deficit has reached a trillion dollars, BBC News.

Person Arrested in Connection with Florida Couple’s Murders

One person has been arrested in connection with the murders of a Florida couple found slain in their home on Thursday. The couple, Byrd and Melanie Billings, had 12 adopted children, many of which have special needs, CNN.

The U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Hill, had a close call in Iraq today when a small roadside bomb detonated close to the convey he was traveling in. The vehicle sustained minor damage and no injuries were reported. A U.S. military spokesman said it was unclear whether Hill was targeted or not, USA Today.

For the second time, NASA has delayed the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour due to weather concerns. The shuttle is now set to launch on Monday at 6:51 pm, CNN.

Hot Topic: Watch Sky News’ exclusive interview with President Obama.

Suspected Serial Killer Killed By Police

The man who is believed to have killed five people in the span of a week in Gaffney, S.C. has been killed by police. A burglary complaint led the police to the man’s house, and shots were fired between the suspect and police. One officer was shot in the leg and later released from the hospital, AP.

Nigerian militants claim to have blown up an oil pipeline in the country and say they have seized six workers from a chemical tanker. The militants are members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta and are seeking compensation from oil revenues generated in the country, almost all of which the government keeps for itself, CNN.

After over 150 people were killed in riots in Xinjiang, China, police have arrested 1,434 people for participating in the riots and trying to schedule more. Around 200 people attempted to gather again today but were forced away by police, BBC News.

Hot Topic: NPR looks at the story of an Iranian woman, stoned to death for a crime she didn’t commit. Read the article.