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S.C. 'serial killer' claims fifth victim

A 15-year-old South Carolina girl who was shot earlier this week by a man authorities say fits the description of a serial killer has died, police said Saturday. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office on Friday released a second sketch of the man believed to have fatally shot five people in less than a week.

Ahmadinejad reportedly wants talk with Obama

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he wants to engage President Obama in "negotiations" before international media, a semi-official Iranian news outlet reported on Saturday.

Successor: Palin Alaska's greatest gift to U.S.

Alaskan Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will succeed Gov. Sarah Palin, called her Alaska's greatest gift to the United States today. Palin, who was John McCain's running mate last year, said Friday she will step down as Alaska's chief executive by the end of the month and would not run for a second gubernatorial term.

Liberty's crown open first time since 9/11

Thirty people joined National Park Service rangers Saturday in climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, the first tourists to go into the landmark's crown since the 9/11 attacks.

Truck hauling fireworks explodes; 1 dead 4 hurt

One person was killed and four others were critically injured Saturday when a truck carrying fireworks on North Carolina's Outer Banks exploded, officials said.

North Korea test-fires 7 missiles, says Seoul

North Korea fired seven short-range missiles in less than seven hours today, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said today. The recent firings come amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. The missiles were apparently Scud-type, estimated to have a range of about 310 miles, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

Biden mocks ghost of Saddam on July 4 visit

Vice President Joe Biden celebrated American patriotism during a Fourth of July visit to Iraq today. He presided at a naturalization ceremony at one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces, where 237 U.S. service members were sworn in as American citizens. "We did it in Saddam's palace and I can think of nothing better. That S.O.B. is rolling over in his grave right now," Biden said.

Jackson fans face long odds for tickets

Fans continued to register by the thousands early Saturday, hoping to be among the 8,750 people who will be randomly picked to attend the memorial service for singer Michael Jackson next week.

Serena eclipses Venus in Wimbledon final

Serena Williams has avenged last year's Wimbledon final defeat by sister Venus to claim the grass-court major for the third time.

10 humor sites sure to make you LOL

Bored with Pearl, the cursing toddler landlord demanding rent money? Not amused by those cutesy pictures of cats with the baby-speak captions? Replenish your list of favorite bookmarks with these 10 new or lesser-known humor Web sites, including some that find comedy in real life.