Jessica Chasmar

Putin: Russia loves Elton John ‘despite his orientation’

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that millions of Russians love Elton John "despite his orientation," as he continues to defend the country's gay propaganda laws ahead of the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. Published January 19, 2014

Italian nun gives birth to baby boy she names after pope

A nun gave birth to a baby boy in Italy Wednesday, naming the child Francesco in an apparent tribute to Pope Francis, The Telegraph reported. Published January 19, 2014

3 Americans killed in Taliban attack on Afghan restaurant

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for an attack Friday on a popular Afghan restaurant that left three Americans and 18 others dead. Published January 19, 2014

Dennis Rodman checks into rehab for alcoholism: agent

Former basketball star Dennis Rodman has reportedly checked into an undisclosed alcohol rehabilitation center, just days after returning from his controversial trip to North Korea, his agent said. Published January 19, 2014

Rev. Jeremiah Wright: King had a dream, Obama has a drone

Rev. Jeremiah Wright slammed President Obama's drone policy Wednesday in a speech commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Published January 16, 2014

‘Blackfish’ fallout spreads to SeaWorld’s sister-park Busch Gardens

Sparked by the CNN documentary "Blackfish," the boycott against SeaWorld has spread to Busch Gardens, its sister-park in Tampa, Fla. Published January 16, 2014

Severe turbulence forces China-bound flight back to N.J. airport; 5 injured

A Beijing-bound flight leaving Newark Airport had to turn around Thursday shortly following takeoff after severe turbulence injured five flight attendants, officials said. Published January 16, 2014

California bill seeks to ban ‘affluenza’ defense

A California Democrat introduced a bill in the state Legislature Tuesday that would ban people from using extreme affluence, or "affluenza," as a defense in criminal court. Published January 16, 2014

‘Gilligan’s Island’ professor Russell Johnson dies at 89

Russell Johnson, who played Professor Roy Hinkley in "Gilligan's Island," has died at age 89. Published January 16, 2014

Utah to allow joint filing for married same-sex couples

Legally married gay couples may jointly file their 2013 state income tax returns in Utah, the state's tax commission announced Thursday. Published January 16, 2014

Glenn Beck to pay ‘sanctimonious’ critic to face ‘Lone Survivor’s‘ Marcus Luttrell

Radio host Glenn Beck has offered to fly Amy Nicholson of LA Weekly to his Dallas studios to sit face-to-face with Marcus Luttrell and his "SEAL buddies" to back up a scathing review she wrote about "Lone Survivor." Published January 16, 2014

Nelson Mandela’s grandson charged with assault in road rage incident

The 39-year-old grandson of deceased South African President Nelson Mandela has been charged with assault after reportedly assaulting a teacher and pointing a firearm at him in a road rage incident late last year. Published January 16, 2014

Wall Street Journal reporter David Bird missing for five days

The Wall Street Journal's David Bird has been missing since Saturday afternoon and hundreds are currently on the search. Published January 16, 2014

Outrage as ‘Blackfish,’ Oprah snubbed by Academy

"American Hustle" and "Gravity" stole the show this morning with 10 Oscar nominations, but some big names were missing from that list, including Oprah Winfrey, late James Gandolfini and CNN documentary "Blackfish." Published January 16, 2014

Chris Christie in 2013: Best thing about being governor is no traffic

In light of Chris Christie's "Bridgegate" scandal, the folks at the Daily Beast unearthed a clip from February 2013 of the New Jersey Republican telling constituents his favorite part about being governor: no traffic. Published January 15, 2014

Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill’s wife leaves AR-15 in rental car

Lauren Tannehill had rented the white Nissan Rogue on Jan. 4 and returned it to E-Z Rent-A-Car at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Hours later, the car was rented to Judith Fleissig of New York, who discovered the $2,000 weapon a couple days later. Published January 15, 2014