Nice find. I can confirm that checking that box causes the same symptoms as you have. However, it's never checked by default for me, not even on news.google.com.
Please create a clean
profile from scratch. Install only NoScript
latest development build, leaving all the defaults.
Does the problem still exist?
If not, what if you then import your NS settings into the clean profile using the Import and Export buttons *on the very bottom* of NS Options?
If that still doesn't reproduce the problem, NoScript is not the culprit... try
Standard Diagnostic (leaving NS enabled) to isolate and correct the real cause.
Let us know, thanks.