Nation: A federal judge in New York ruled that the NSA’s surveillance of phone calls is legal and vital to defense against terrorism. Federal Judge William Pauley threw out a petition by the American Civil Liberties Union. He wrote that, …

As Ye Sew: The owners of a Bangladesh sewing factory that burned last year, killing 112 workers, have been charged with culpable homicide. The fire at the Tazreen Fashions factory in November 2012 was considered a major disaster. But it …

Pyongyang Purge: The formerly powerful uncle of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un was executed immediately after he was found guilty of plotting against the government, according to the country’s state news agency. Chang Song-thaek was physically removed from a Communist …

Cancer Spike: Breast cancer is leading a worldwide spike in cancer deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Overall cancer deaths in 2012 were up 8 percent from the last survey in 2008. But breast cancer rose 14 percent in …

Derailed: At least four people were killed this morning when a Metro North train from Poughkeepsie to New York derailed near the Spuyten Duyvil station. The New York Fire Department says 67 people were injured, 11 critically. Four of the …

Syria: Israeli jets yesterday hit two Syrian bases to destroy Russian missiles they say were intended for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting in support of the Syrian regime. Israel has said it will do what’s necessary to …

Don’t Blame Us: The computer contractors who built the Obamacare website dodged responsibility this morning for the system’s malfunctions. Cheryl Campbell, senior VP of Canadian company CGI Federal, told a congressional hearing that The White House is in charge as …

ChemWeps: The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, including Russia and the US, have agreed on a resolution to require Syria to give up its chemical weapons. Because of Russian objections, the resolution will not include a threat …

Nairobi Shootout: A suspected terrorist attack on an upscale Nairobi shopping center today has left up to 20 people dead, according to the Red Cross. Reports say the attackers threw grenades and targeted non-Muslims in the Westgate shopping mall, which …

ChemWeps: The UN weapons report says chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian civil war “on a relatively large scale.” The report does not say which side used nerve gas in the Aug. 21 attack, but it does say, …