NEW YORK – Fans in Alicia Keys’ old Harlem neighborhood were mulling her controversial theory that gangsta rap was a government “ploy to convince black people to kill each other.” “The government has proven in the past to be untrustworthy,” William Fox, 65, a retired counselor, who lives in Keys’ …

LONDON – Christie’s auction house has sold John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to “Give Peace a Chance” for $833,654. The lyrics were written during Lennon’s 1969 Bed-in protest for peace at the Queens Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. Christie’s spokeswoman Zoe Schoon said Lennon gave the sheet to 16-year-old Gail Renard during …

JERUSALEM – A Palestinian man plowed an enormous construction vehicle into cars, buses and pedestrians on a busy street Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding at least 45 before he was shot dead by security officers. Israeli police referred to the man as a “terrorist” acting on his …

WASHINGTON – Money problems will likely force NASA to abandon its ambitious internal goal of having a new moon spaceship ready by 2013, a top space agency official told The Associated Press Wednesday. The agency should still be able to meet its public commitment to test-launch astronauts in the first …

TULSA, Okla. – A dog attacked and killed a 2-month old baby boy who was left unattended in a swing, police said Monday afternoon. Officer Jason Willingham said the infant was mauled by either a Labrador puppy or a small pug at the boy’s home and died at the scene. …

ANKARA, Turkey – Prosecutors on Monday indicted 86 secular Turks, including ex-army officers, on terrorism charges for their alleged involvement in plots to topple the Islamic-rooted government, a chief prosecutor said. Aykut Cengiz Engin said the 86 — including at least one former general, journalists, academicians and businessmen — were …

Tony Snow touched many lives in his roles as broadcast personality and White House press secretary. Here’s how those who knew him remember him: “Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their …

This is a rush transcript from “Hannity & Colmes,” January 7, 2008. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. ALAN COLMES, CO-HOST, “HANNITY & COLMES”: Less than three hours before the New Hampshire primary begins, and the candidates are making their final rounds before …

NEW YORK – The costumed crook known as the “Ninja Bandit” may have struck again on Staten Island, New York City police said. A home burglary this week seems to fit the pattern of 18 previous heists attributed to the black-clad, masked thief since May, according to police. Click here …

PORT CLINTON, Ohio – Authorities say a railroad car that tumbled off a bridge over northern Ohio’s Sandusky Bay is not leaking and doesn’t pose a hazard. As many as four freight cars derailed early Wednesday morning. Ottawa County Sheriff Robert Bratton says there are no reports of injuries. The …