Murkowski certified Senate race winner

Murkowski certified Senate race winner

JUNEAU, Alaska

Sen. Lisa Murkowski was officially named the winner of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race Thursday, after a period of legal fights and limbo that lasted longer than the write-in campaign she waged to keep her job. Gov. Sean Parnell and Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, who oversees elections, signed the paperwork certifying her win in the hotly contested race.

Ex-Israeli president convicted of rape

JERUSALEM

Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav was convicted of rape Thursday, a dramatic fall from grace for a man who rose from humble beginnings to become a symbol of achievement for Jews of Middle Eastern origin.

The disgraced politician, who had rejected a plea bargain that would have kept him out of jail, likely will be sentenced to four to 16 years in prison. The verdict was seen as a victory for the Israeli legal system and for women’s rights in a decades-long struggle to chip away at the nation’s macho culture, which once permitted political and military leaders great liberties.

Queen Elizabeth is great-grandmother

LONDON

Queen Elizabeth was delighted with the birth of her first great-grandchild, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

Autumn Phillips, wife of the queen’s grandson Peter Phillips, gave birth to a baby girl Wednesday, the palace said. The baby weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces.

The newborn is 12th in line to the throne, and the palace said her name will be released later.

O’Donnell blames foes for probe

WASHINGTON

Former Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell went on the offensive Thursday after reports that federal prosecutors are looking into whether she illegally used campaign money for personal use, saying the accusations are politically motivated and stoked by disgruntled former campaign workers. The Delaware Republican appeared on several network television morning shows to defend herself a day after The Associated Press revealed authorities have opened a criminal investigation to determine whether she broke the law by spending campaign money on personal expenses such as rent.

Gunmen target Christian homes

BAGHDAD

Militants attacked at least four Christian homes Thursday night with a combination of grenades and bombs, killing two people and sending fear into the already terrified tiny Christian community.

It was the first attack against the country’s Christian community since al-Qaida-linked militants last week threatened a wave of violence against them. Christians went so far as to tone down their Christmas celebrations in what was a peaceful holiday.

Porn-king deal could save ‘Octomom’

LOS ANGELES

SDLqOctomom” Nadya Suleman and her 14 children could avoid being evicted from their suburban home if the mortgage holder cuts a deal with a porn kingpin.

After giving Suleman repeated warnings to pay the $450,000 that’s due or get out, Amer Haddadin said he’s now considering an offer from Vivid Entertainment co-founder Steve Hirsch to foot the bill.

Suleman has repeatedly declined Hirsch’s offers — $1 million at one point — to appear in porn videos.

Associated Press