(AP) Serena Williams wins 3rd AP Athlete of Year awardBy HOWARD FENDRICHAP Tennis WriterSerena Williams likes to make one thing clear: She is never satisfied, no matter how many matches and tournaments she wins. Driven as ever, Williams won plenty
(AP) Argentina: 70 injured in carnivorous fish attackBy The Associated PressBUENOS AIRES, ArgentinaA surprise attack by a school of carnivorous fish has injured 70 people bathing in an Argentine river, including seven children who lost parts of their fingers or
(AP) Calif. schools prepare for transgender rights lawBy LISA LEFF and JULIE WATSONAssociated PressSAN FRANCISCOWith a law that spells out the rights of transgender students in grades K-12 set to take effect in California, school districts are reviewing locker room
(AP) American abducted in Pakistan calls for US helpBy REBECCA SANTANAAssociated PressISLAMABADA 72-year-old American development worker who was kidnapped in Pakistan by al-Qaida more than two years ago appealed to President Obama in a video released Thursday to negotiate his
The United States is sending Iraq dozens of missiles and surveillance drones to help it combat a recent surge in Al-Qaeda-backed violence, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The weapons include a shipment of 75 Hellfire missiles purchased by
Miley Cyrus’ new video leaked on Christmas day, one day before planned. The video is titled “Adore” and shows the raunchy songstress simulating masturbation. Cyrus didn’t seem too upset about the leak. “We all know Smilers would break another record
Three icebreaking ships were Thursday hurrying to reach a Russian vessel carrying 74 people on a scientific expedition which is trapped by ice off Antarctica, with Australian authorities coordinating the rescue mission. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said the
(AP) Pope prays for Christians persecuted for faithVATICAN CITYPope Francis is urging people to speak out against persecution of Christians, whom he likened to the Church’s first martyrs. His denunciation of discrimination suffered by Christians came a day after three
(AP) Family: Pa. girl who got caroling wish has diedWEST READING, Pa.A terminally ill girl who received support from thousands of Christmas carolers outside her home over the weekend died early on Christmas morning, her family said. Delaney Brown, 8,
(AP) Russia: Arafat’s death not caused by radiationBy VLADIMIR ISACHENKOVAssociated PressMOSCOWA Russian probe into the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has found no trace of radioactive poisoning, the chief of the government agency that conducted the study said Thursday.
(AP) US drone strike in Pakistan kills 3 militantsBy MUNIR AHMEDAssociated PressISLAMABADA suspected American drone fired two missiles at a home in a northwestern tribal region of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, killing at least three foreign militants, Pakistani intelligence officials said
(AP) AP Exclusive: Al-Qaida leader targeting UN workersBy QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRAAssociated PressBAGHDADThe shadowy leader of a powerful al-Qaida group fighting in Syria sought to kidnap United Nations workers and scrawled out plans for his aides to take over in the event
(AP) Crowds relive Washington’s 1776 river crossingWASHINGTON CROSSING, N.J.George Washington has made his annual Christmas Day ride across the Delaware River. Washington’s daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. The 61st reenactment of
(AP) Bomb blast hits bus in Egypt’s capital, wounding 5By MAGGIE MICHAELAssociated PressCAIROA bomb blast hit a public bus in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Thursday, wounding five people, the Interior Ministry said, in an attack that raised concerns that
(AP) Thai police officer killed in clashes in BangkokBy PAPITCHAYA BOONNGOKAssociated PressBANGKOKThai police say an officer has been killed in clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the capital. Police spokesman Anucha Romyana says the officer died Thursday after
(AP) African leaders in South Sudan for peace talksBy JASON STRAZIUSO and RODNEY MUHUMUZAAssociated PressJUBA, South SudanThe leaders of Kenya and Ethiopia arrived in South Sudan on Thursday to try and mediate between the country’s president and the political rivals
(AP) NEWARK, N.J.Newark officials say two teenagers have been shot and killed and a third is in critical condition in the northern New Jersey city. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio say a
(AP) Heat beats Lakers 101-95 for 6th straight victoryBy BETH HARRISAP Sports WriterLOS ANGELESThe Los Angeles Lakers missed having Kobe Bryant out on the court on Christmas Day. Same for LeBron James. Playing without its biggest star, Los Angeles stayed
(AP) Belichick questions NFL offseason workout limitsBy JOHN WAWROWAP Sports WriterORCHARD PARK, N.Y.New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is blaming recently instituted NFL rules shortening offseason practice time for what he claims to be an increasing number of player injuries.
Rodolfo Hernandez, who received the Medal of Honor for rushing into heavy fire while wounded and armed with only an inoperable rifle and bayonet and then killing six enemy soldiers during the Korean War, died on Saturday in Fayetteville, N.C.
Depending on your point of view, this is a Christmas story, replete with real-life “angels” — including one still working to earn his wings — who give of themselves to help at-risk women and children desperate for shelter from life’s
(AP) NJ tribe sues makers of film ‘Out of the Furnace’By SAMANTHA HENRYAssociated PressNEWARK, N.J.Members of the Ramapough Native American tribe have filed a $50 million lawsuit against the makers of a recent Hollywood movie they say depicts their people
(AP) Fleeing shoplifting suspect dies in SC wreckAIKEN, S.C.Authorities say a woman speeding away from a store in South Carolina after being accused of shoplifting on Christmas Eve was killed in a head-on crash. Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton says
(AP) NY charter schools worry about mayor-elect’s plansBy KAREN MATTHEWSAssociated PressNEW YORKOperators of New York City’s publicly financed, privately run charter schools are bracing for changes promised by Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio — including the possibility of having to pay
Egypt’s military-installed government declared the Muslim Brotherhood movement of ousted president Mohamed Morsi a “terrorist” group Wednesday, banning all its activities, including demonstrations, ministers said after a cabinet meeting. Deputy prime minister Hossam Eissa said the movement has been declared
