ROSARIO, Philippines -- Police suspected dynamite blasting caps caused a blast Monday that killed at least three people, injured 12 and destroyed six apartments in the Philippines.Rosario Vice Mayor Jose Hernandez said the explosion occurred near a school, causing parents to panic, Pacific News Center reported."Our initial suspicion is that the explosion was caused by dynamite fishing blasting caps," Rosario Police Chief Superintendent Edgar Roquero told Pacific News Center. "The blast has totally wrecked the ... [full story]

The price of oil briefly broke the $100 mark last week. The most remarkable thing about passing the long-dreaded psychological barrier was how little it seemed to hurt. Back in the 1970s, the oil price shocks helped bring on years of inflation, economic stagnation and two recessions. This time around, the market mostly yawned when oil on the New York market touched $100.09 a barrel on Thursday, even though that's just a hair below the ... [full story]

CHICAGO -- The Chicago City Council approved nearly $20 million in settlements for four men allegedly tortured into murder confessions by a former police commander.Council members Wednesday unanimously approved settlements that could reach $19.8 million for four men who said retired police Cmdr. Jon Burge and his fellow detectives tortured them into making confessions, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.The four men involved in the case were all pardoned from death row in January 2003 by ... [full story]

Lottery funds will provide economic benefits and improve water quality while bringing salmon and steelhead to their home waters. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) allocated $4 million in Lottery funds for the Upper Deschutes Special Investment Partnership (SIP) at meetings January 16 and 17 in Astoria. "Upper Deschutes" refers to the area above the Pelton-Round Butte Project which consists of three different dams that have been a barrier to fish since 1968. This crucial ... [full story]

In the opening scene of "Cloverfield," the much-buzzed monster movie from "Lost" mastermind J.J. Abrams, a young man sticks a video camera in his mate's face as she emerges from under the bedcovers.   MONSTER BUZZ - Michael Stahl-David and Jessica Lucas slam the door on an uninvited beast in the monster flick 'Cloverfield.' CNS Photo courtesy of Sam Emerson.  "Oh, I can just see this ending up on the Internet," she groans. Actually, just about everything ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - A conservative group is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to approve ads for its documentary "Hillary: The Movie" despite Federal Election Commission rules.The movie, critical of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., opened Jan. 16 in Washington and is being shown in selected cities.But, the group behind the film, Citizens United, cannot use its three TV commercials unless it agrees to FEC rules. Without ads, it's unlikely many will see the film, ... [full story]

BERGEN, Norway - Officials in Norway detained a 55-year-old man who allegedly molested hundreds of young boys in the last 30 years.The man, nicknamed "Pocket Man" for his method of molestation, was ordered into custody for four weeks Monday while police investigate the allegations, Aftenpost said Monday. Police arrested the man Friday following a search of his home, which uncovered DNA matching evidence from the alleged assaults.His defense attorney, Tor Erling Staff, downplayed the charges."This is ... [full story]

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed officers arrested a man claiming to be a free-lance reporter outside of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's home.The high-profile couple has been even more closely watched since rumors began swirling that Jolie is pregnant for the second time.LAPD officer Karen Smith told E! Online the alleged trespasser was arrested outside the family's Hollywood Hills home Wednesday afternoon after a housekeeper noticed a strange car blocking ... [full story]

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - A rug featuring a life-size portrait of a nude woman has been recovered after it was stolen from a McMinnville, Ore., college."The Sexy Sex: All Nude Revue Rug One," a self-portrait by Portland, Ore., artist Tamera Bremer, was found in a trash bin at an apartment complex near Linfield College, where it went missing Oct. 8 from a campus gallery, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Thursday.The piece was had been dampened by rain, ... [full story]

LONDON -- The London inquest into the death of Princess Diana in Paris heard testimony about a leaked telephone conversation between Diana and an alleged lover.The "Squidgygate" tapes featured conversations between Diana and an alleged former lover, James Gilbey, recorded by British intelligence officers apparently protecting British royals from assassination by the Irish Republican Army, The Daily Telegraph said Thursday.The inquest heard testimony by Diana's former bodyguard Ken Wharfe detailing the tapes allegedly leaked to ... [full story]