A string of bombings in Baghdad Thursday killed at least 63 people and injured around 185. Government officials say 14 bombs exploded in 11 neighborhoods in the apparently coordinated attacks. The explosions targeted mostly Shiite areas with bombs left on roadsides or inside cars.

On Wednesday, eight American soldiers were charged in connection with the death of Pvt. Danny Chen. Chen's body was found lying in a guard tower on an American outpost in Kandahar province in October. The 19-year-old soldier died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. This case echoes the suicide of 21-year-old Lance Corporal Harry Lew in April, another Asian-American who reportedly shot himself while serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. Known as a "minority minority," discrimination against Asian-Americans is frequently goes unreported by victims and the media.

A seven day pre-trial that closes Thursday will determine if Army Pvt. Bradley Manning, a suspect in leaking confidential military and diplomatic intelligence, faces a court-martial. Manning's defense lawyers claim that the Army's computer security was lacking and a faulty chain of command. Meanwhile, his prosecutors have brought 21 witnesses to the stand in the hopes of establishing traitorous intent.

Bank of America, which now owns mortgage giant Countrywide Financial, will pay $335 million for Countrywide discriminating against minorities during the 2004-2008 housing boom. Countrywide brokers are accused of steering blacks and Latinos into more costly home loans than white borrowers with the same financial profile. An estimated 200,000 people were affected.

At least 63 people were killed in Baghdad Thursday when a wave of 14 bombs exploded across the city. Over 185 people were injured. The attacks come only days after U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq and during a deepening political crisis in the government. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite, threatened to abandon a U.S.-backed power-sharing agreement. The crisis was prompted by accusations that Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni, had been running death squads.

Sitting on Santa Claus's lap can be be an especially daunting proposition for children who are among the 1.5 million Americans with autism spectrum disorders. However, for many parents, there may be hope this Christmas. The Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust — which owns 2 dozen malls nationwide — has recently started working with autism groups to offer "sensitive Santa" sessions at its malls.

Activists and opposition groups have accused Syrian government forces of killing at least 160 defecting soldiers and civilians over the past three days near the city of Idlib. This surge of violence is among the bloodiest the ongoing protests have seen, and comes shortly before international observers are set to arrive to monitor President Bashar al-Assad's implementation of an Arab League peace plan.

At least 15 people were killed by Syrian government forces on Thursday ahead of the arrival of monitors from the Arab League. Earlier in the week, over 250 people were killed in 48 hours according to opposition Syrian National Council. The Arab League's mission is part of an effort to quell tensions between the opposition forces and the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

With less than two weeks before the January 3 Iowa caucus, the GOP presidential hopefuls are making their final push in the Hawkeye state. Recent days have seen libertarian candidate Ron Paul surge to the front of the pack, a position most recently held by Newt Gingrich. With his popularity among young voters, his consistency on issues, and populist rhetoric about "ending" the Federal Reserve, Paul has formed a broad coalition that has made him the latest front-runner in Iowa. But will it be enough to sustain a national campaign to beat presumptive nominee Mitt Romney?

A woman has never been elected to Congress or held the governorship in Iowa. The only other state to hold this dubious distinction is Mississippi. Several studies point to cultural factors, such as the state's older population and evangelical lobbying groups. But nearly a century after women's suffrage and three years after Iowa legalized gay marriage, the Hawkeye State's problem seems to lie deeper.

The government advisory board that oversees biosecurity in the U.S. is asking the scientific journals Nature and Science to censor details of recent studies on bird flu due to concerns about biological terrorism. Researchers created mutations of the A(H5N1) virus, making it transferable between mammals through the air. In 60 percent of human cases, this strain of avian flu is fatal. At present, only 350 people worldwide have died because of the flu, only because it can be contracted via direct contact with infected birds.

A military investigation has found that the U.S. is in part responsible for killing 24 Pakistani soldiers in an errant airstrike along the Afghanistan border on November 26. The report also blames Pakistan for firing on U.S. and Afghan troops, saying the joint team returned fire in self-defense. The findings come at a time of deep mistrust between the two strategic allies. Adam Entous, national security correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, reports on the latest developments.

It’s the week before Christmas, and The Takeaway is celebrating with our annual "Remixing the Holidays" series. All week long we're talking with musicians, music lovers, and you about the best, and worst, songs of the season. On Wednesday, The Takeaway spoke with Jon Solomon, a DJ who hosts an annual 24-hour Christmas show on Princeton University's WPRB. Today, we speak with Jason Segel, star of the new "Muppet Movie," as well as "How I Met Your Mother," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and "Freaks and Geeks" about why the Muppets are among his favorite holiday music-makers.