US prison system long plagued by staffing crisis, violence
WASHINGTON — For years, the federal Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by systematic failures, from massive staffing shortages to chronic violence. Bu...
Patrick defends corporations and capitalism in primary bid
DES MOINES, Iowa — Democratic presidential candidate Deval Patrick is centering his fledgling campaign on a defense of corporations and capitalism tha...
Smoke shrouds Sydney’s skyline as wildfires burn nearby
SYDNEY — Thick smoke from wildfires has shrouded Sydney and its surrounding areas with health experts warning residents with medical conditions to rem...
Asian shares mixed amid caution on US-China trade talks
TOKYO — Asian shares were mixed Tuesday as investor sentiment remained cautious amid worries about the next development in trade talks between the Uni...
Diplomat says of Trump Ukraine call: ‘I remember it vividly’
WASHINGTON — The phone call State Department official David Holmes overheard between President Donald Trump and Ambassador Gordon Sondland lasted just...
Man pleads guilty to threatening to kill Rep. Omar of Minn.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A western New York man pleaded guilty Monday to threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.s
Flood-hit Venice’s dwindling population faces mounting woes
VENICE, Italy — One of only four oar makers for Venice’s famed gondoliers, Paolo Brandolisio wades through his ground-floor workshop for the third tim...
PG&E boss says it wasn’t fully ready for California outages
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The head of Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. told angry California lawmakers Monday that the nation’s largest electric utility wa...
Trump’s weekend hospital visit draws a skeptical reaction
WASHINGTON — A lack of notice. Past failures to level with the American people. A tough week for the White House as public impeachment hearings got un...
South Dakota’s governor defends ‘Meth. We’re on it’ campaign
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota sparked online guffaws Monday by rolling out an anti-drug campaign featuring people saying, “Meth, I’m on it,” and th...
Lawsuits by Michael Jackson accusers likely to be restored
LOS ANGELES — A California appeals court appeared strongly inclined Monday to give new life to lawsuits filed by two men who accuse Michael Jackson of...
Correction: Prescription Drugs story
WASHINGTON — In a story Nov. 18 about the White House push for prescription drug legislation, The Associated Press misspelled the first name of the ex...
Brazil says Amazon deforestation is worst since 2008
RIO DE JANEIRO — Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest is at its worst in more than a decade, a government report said Monday, undermining offic...
Auto union now turns focus to Fiat Chrysler; strike possible
DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union on Monday turned its bargaining focus to Fiat Chrysler, raising the possibility of another strike against a De...
US angers Palestinians with reversal on Israeli settlements
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday softened the U.S. position on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, reversing four decades of...
NSC aide Vindman ready to speak out publicly on Trump
WASHINGTON — The decorated soldier and White House aide who saw it as his "sacred duty" to speak out against President Donald Trump’s Ukraine pressure...
Warren’s ‘Medicare for All’ plan reignites health care clash
WASHINGTON — Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to gradually move the country to a government-funded health care system has further inflamed the debate over ...
US asks federal judge to toss out Nevada plutonium lawsuit
LAS VEGAS — The federal government wants a judge to reject Nevada’s request for a court order to remove weapons-grade plutonium from a site north of L...
‘Frozen 2’ aiming to build on the power of the original
LOS ANGELES — When Idina Menzel first started performing “Let It Go” live in concerts, she thought the lyrics and soaring vocals would empower all tho...
GAO: 60% of Superfund sites at higher risk in climate change
WASHINGTON — The worsening wildfires, floods and hurricanes of climate change threaten at least 60% of U.S. Superfund sites, and efforts to strengthen...
New, old drugs may offer fresh ways to fight heart disease
PHILADELPHIA — Novel drugs may offer fresh ways to reduce heart risks beyond the usual medicines to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
California sues e-cigarette maker Juul over ads, youth sales
WASHINGTON — California on Monday sued the nation’s biggest e-cigarette maker, alleging that Juul Labs deliberately marketed and sold its flavored nic...
Chang says his new Netflix show honors Bourdain
LOS ANGELES — With its food-travel fusion and trips to parts unknown, “Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner” host David Chang says he understands why critics...
Iran downplays, demonizes protests amid internet shutdown
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranian officials on Monday alternatively downplayed and demonized ongoing protests across the country that have killed ...
House lawyer says committee investigating whether Trump lied
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives’ top lawyer told a federal appeals court Monday that the House is investigating whether President Donald Tru...
Prince Andrew’s efforts to put scandal behind him backfire
LONDON — Prince Andrew's effort to put the Jeffrey Epstein scandal behind him may have instead done him irreparable harm.
Chrissy Teigen, Kim Raver and more cheer ‘Sesame Street’
NEW YORK — You can never be too old for "Sesame Street." The beloved children's series premiered 50 years ago this month and is still a favorite among...
Don’t overlook splashy coffee table books as holiday gifts
NEW YORK — Art, architecture, music or travel: Coffee table books can fill just the right gift niche, especially when the cost would be budget-busting...
Police chief: 3 people killed in Oklahoma Walmart shooting
DUNCAN, Oklahoma — Two men and a woman were fatally shot Monday outside a Walmart store in Oklahoma, the chief of police said.
How to tame that intimidating winter squash
Hard winter squash is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be used as a side dish, in fillings for ravioli or lasagna, as a noodle alternative...