Extra! Stories

To defang Taliban, some look to private schools

The schoolhouse is so tiny that dozens of pupils have to sit outdoors. They're lucky if their teachers have more than a basic education. And the chanting of math equations and Quranic verses gets so loud that the children have a hard time hearing themselves. (full story)

Fort victims had different reasons for enlisting

The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included several people who shared the same profession as the alleged shooter, a father of three with ties to Laos whose family had a history of military service, a civilian who had returned to work a week after suffering a heart attack, and a psychiatric nurse who arrived at Fort Hood a day before the shooting. Here is a look at the victims. (full story)

Alabama county celebrates official Obama holiday

The sign going on the front door at the Perry County courthouse reads: "Closed for the Obama Holiday." (full story)

Fla. cops: Wife faked own abduction to scam hubby

A wealthy health care executive came home one night in September to find a terrifying note from his wife, Quinn Gray: The 37-year-old housewife and mother of two had been abducted from her posh Florida beach community. (full story)

DC sniper's execution to be witnessed by victims, relatives

Some ache for revenge, others simply for justice. There is frustration, too, and defiance. (full story)

Its 'Mother' dead, doomsday sect's future in doubt

Members of a Montana-based sect whose influence expanded as it prepared for a nuclear holocaust that never came, now search for new directions after the death of Elizabeth Clare Prophet - "Mother" to her thousands of followers. (full story)

Obama's half brother recalls their abusive father

President Barack Obama's half brother has broken his media silence to discuss his new novel - the semi-autobiographical story of an abusive parent patterned on their late father, the mostly absent figure Obama wrote about in his own memoir. (full story)

Half of US kids will get food stamps, study says

Nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, and fallout from the current recession could push those numbers even higher, researchers say. (full story)

Ex-soldiers want to reveal Chile dirty war secrets

Hundreds of former military draftees rallying outside Chile's presidential palace were asked Sunday to come forward and reveal crimes they committed and witnessed during Gen. Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. (full story)

House calls as cost-saver in health care reform?

The doctor doesn't look like much of a crusader, bent over the frail frame of 90-year-old Alberta Scott. (full story)