AOL News

Patrick Semansky, AP

Skimmer Tested as Oil Slick
Likely to Reach Florida Keys

Officials start testing a skimmer boat, the latest weapon in the battle against the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Plus: Oil-Stained Gulf Coast Expects Glum Fourth of July
Also: BP's Top Leaders May Be Out Next Month

Full Story »

How Rock Bands Got Backstage Passes to See Gitmo Detainees

By S.I. Rosenbaum | AOL News

More than 400 entertainers who were performing for the troops at Guantanamo Bay got behind-the-scenes access to the base's most notorious attraction: the prison.

Full Story »

Dusan Vranic , AP 'One Mission'

Gen. Petraeus Calls for Unity in Afghan War

By Lauren Frayer | AOL News

The new commander of U.S. and NATO forces tells troops, "In this important endeavor, cooperation is not optional."

Full Story »

imgCred All in the Family

As Noose Tightened, Spy Suspect Sought Help from Dad

By Lauren Frayer | AOL News

Anna Chapman, accused of spying for Russia, got advice from her father -- reportedly a former KGB agent -- before her arrest.
Also: Sadness for Kids of Accused Spies

Full Story »

AP Photo/Laura Rauch Declarations

Political Scion Rory Reid Is Ready for His 'Glee' Tryout

By Billy Baker | AOL News

The Senate majority leader's son is aiming for the Nevada governor's job. Here are a few things you won't find on his campaign website.

Full Story »

Bob Schutz, AP Stars & Stripes Forever

50-Star Flag Designed by Ohio Teen Turns 50

By Chris Epting | AOL News

This Fourth marks the 50th birthday of the 50-star flag, but it wouldn't look like it does today without one 17-year-old boy.

Full Story »

Susan Walsh, AP Founding Father Typo

Fix Appears in Declaration of Independence

By Lauren Frayer | AOL News

Just in time for Independence Day, researchers have found that Thomas Jefferson made a telling change to an early draft.
Also: What's the 'Real' Independence Day?

Full Story »

Getty Images Bird Banes

Feeling Pooped by Pigeons, Cities Try Bird Birth Control

By Steve Friess | AOL News

Las Vegas officials are among those turning to a contraceptive-laced feed newly approved by the EPA to thin pigeon populations.

Full Story »

The Spectrum

Van der Sloot Files Suit Against Initial Lawyer in Peru
LIMA, Peru (July 3) %u2014 Joran van der Sloot has sued the lawyer who represented him during a police interrogation on the day that authorities say...
Police: NY Man Blows Off Arm With Party Fireworks
ISLIP TERRACE, N.Y. (July 3) %u2014 Police say a man lighting fireworks has blown off his arm at a party on New York%27s Long Island.
Ecuador Authorities, DEA Seize Drug-Smuggling Sub
WASHINGTON (July 3) %u2014 The Drug Enforcement Administration said Saturday it has helped seize a submarine capable of transporting tons of cocaine.
NY Fisherman Bitten on Arm by Blue Shark He Caught
SHINNECOCK, N.Y. (July 3) %u2014 The Coast Guard says a captured shark bit a fisherman as he tried to remove a hook from its mouth on a boat off New...
Political Scion Rory Reid Is Ready for His 'Glee' Tryout
(July 3) -- Rory Reid, the Senate majority leader%27s son, is aiming for the Nevada governor%27s office. Here are a few tidbits you won%27t find on...
50-Star Flag Designed by Ohio Teen Turns 50
(July 3) -- July Fourth marks the 50th anniversary birth of the 50-star American flag, created by Ohio teenager Robert Heft. Happy birthday to the...
Hillary Clinton: 'Steel Vise' Crushing Global Activists
KRAKOW, Poland (July 3) -- Intolerant governments across the globe are slowly crushing activist and advocacy groups that play an essential role in...
Michael Steele Backs Away From Afghan Remarks
(July 3) -- Republican National Chairman Michael Steele backed away from comments putting the onus for the Afghanistan war on President Obama -- and...
Elin Nordegren Will Get 'Only' $100M from Tiger Woods in Divorce Settlement
Planner of Munich Olympics Attack Dies in Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (July 3) %u2014 Mohammed Oudeh, the key planner of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack that killed 11 Israeli athletes, died Saturday...
'World's Luckiest Lottery Player' Wins Big -- Again
(July 3) -- Joan Ginther, of Bishop, Texas, collected a 10 million with the Texas Lottery%27s 140 million Extreme Payout scratch-off ticket, the...
Spain Defeats Paraguay to Reach World Cup Semifinals
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- David Villa scored with seven minutes left Saturday to give Spain a 1-0 win over Paraguay and its first ever appearance in the...
Spain Beats Paraguay in World Cup Quarterfinals
JOHANNESBURG (July 3) %u2014 David Villa scored in the 83rd minute Saturday to give Spain a 1-0 win over Paraguay and its first-ever spot in the...
Schwarzenegger's Plan to Slash Pay Sparks Outrage
(July 3) -- California public workers reacted with concern and outrage to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger%27s plan to slash more than 200,000 workers%27...
Skimmer Tested as Oil Slick Likely to Reach Florida Keys
(July 3) %u2013 Officials began testing a skimmer boat the size of 3 1/2 football fields, the latest weapon in the battle against the massive BP oil...
Giant Oil Skimmer Being Tested in Gulf of Mexico
NEW ORLEANS (July 3) %u2014 A converted tanker billed as the world%27s largest oil skimmer is being tested in the Gulf of Mexico, where officials...
Man's Remains to Be Part of July 4 Fireworks Display
(July 3) -- Tom Moore was a man who loved fireworks. And like all fireworks fans he was a fan of July 4. When he died in May at the age of 70, his...
As Noose Tightened, Spy Suspect Sought Help from Dad
(July 3) -- A lawyer for Anna Chapman, the flame-haired Russian spy suspect whose father was reportedly a KGB agent, says his client sought help from...
Vice President Joe Biden Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq
(July 3) -- Vice President Joe Biden landed Saturday on what appeared to be a dual mission in Baghdad: to visit U.S. troops during the July Fourth...
Man Charged in Boat Crash Near Statue of Liberty
NEW YORK (July 3) %u2014 Police say a man is facing vehicular manslaughter charges in a boat crash near the Statue of Liberty that killed another man...
Serena Williams Wins Her 4th Wimbledon With a Rout
(July 3) -- Serena Williams has won her fourth Wimbledon title and 13th Grand Slam championship by sweeping Vera Zvonareva in straight sets in the...
Obama Awards $2B for Solar Power, Hails New Jobs
(July 3) -- The government is handing out nearly 2 billion for new solar plants that President Barack Obama says will create thousands of jobs and...
Pot-Smoking Charge Dropped Against Paris Hilton
(July 3) -- A special South African court set up to deal with troublemakers during the World Cup has dropped a pot-smoking charge against Paris...
Suspect in Tampa Police Shooting Deaths Surrenders
(July 3) -- Dontae Rashawn Morris, a convicted felon accused of killing two Tampa police officers during a traffic stop, surrendered after detectives...