Ellington

THE WORST MAY BE OVER--New census numbers suggest that the U.S. economy has bottomed out.

ESTIMATE FOR HEALTH CARE PENALTY RISES SIGNIFICANTLY--Analysts now say about 6 million Americans will face a tax penalty for not carrying medical coverage in 2016.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FAULTED OVER FAST AND FURIOUS--More than a dozen people face possible disciplinary action for the bungled gun-trafficking probe in Arizona.

EXTREMISTS, FOREIGN FIGHTERS ON THE RISE IN SYRIA--Conflict's evolution into open war has attracted infiltrators to the front lines.

AN APPEAL FOR A STRONGER STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE--After attacks by vandals on Christian holy sites in Israel, normally tight-lipped Roman Catholic officials are beginning to speak out.

ARCTIC ICE SHRINKS TO ALL-TIME LOW--Scientists say global warming is to blame for an ice cap 18 percent smaller than the previous record.

WHEEEE! TURNS TO UH-OH--Stuck on a California amusement park attraction, riders dangle 300 feet in the air for nearly four hours.

FOREIGN FILMS WELCOME — EXCEPT FROM THE U.S.--An international film festival opens today in what may seem the unlikeliest of places: North Korea.

SHAKIRA PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD--The Grammy-winning singer says she and her soccer-player boyfriend "are very happy" awaiting the birth.

HOW ODDSMAKERS VIEW THE NFL'S REPLACEMENT REFS--Las Vegas casinos are betting that this weekend's games will be the highest-scoring ever — thanks to the league's fill-in officials.