US Government officials claim three Chicago hospitals exaggerated the seriousness of the conditions of some patients so they could get liver transplants sooner.

A woman who survived a the collapse of a balcony in which at least 12 people died said she heard wood splitting just before she fell.

At least 12 young people died and as many as 35 were injured early today when an overloaded second-floor balcony on an apartment building collapsed during a party early today, authorities said.