Vast forest fires in Indonesia spawn ecological disaster

KAMPAR, Indonesia — For farmer Achmad Rusli, it was a season of smoke: Ten weeks without sunlight for his oranges, guavas and durians, thanks to… Continue reading

Western US hit with blast of winter weather

LOS ANGELES — A wintry blast of air brought blizzard-like conditions Monday to parts of the West after whipping up a damaging tornado in Central… Continue reading

Syria refugee Nedal Al-Hayk works as a fabricator Monday in Warren, Michigan. Several U.S. governors are threatening to halt efforts to allow Syrian refugees into their states in the aftermath of the coordinated attacks in Paris, though an immigration expert says they have no legal authority to do so.

Refugee quandary: Immigrant legacy versus 9/11-era fears

WASHINGTON — The Paris attacks are rapidly weakening U.S. support for bringing in thousands more Syrian refugees, as pressure grows in Congress and the Republican… Continue reading

Syria refugee Nedal Al-Hayk works as a fabricator Monday in Warren, Michigan. Several U.S. governors are threatening to halt efforts to allow Syrian refugees into their states in the aftermath of the coordinated attacks in Paris, though an immigration expert says they have no legal authority to do so.

Wary governors halt, question plan to accept Syrian refugees

DETROIT (AP) — Several U.S. governors are threatening to halt efforts to allow Syrian refugees into their states in the aftermath of the coordinated attacks… Continue reading

A man carries two children after panic broke out among mourners who payed their respect at the attack sites at restaurant Le Petit Cambodge and the Carillon Hotel in Paris, Sunday.

Paris unites in solidarity, then scatters in panic

PARIS — Parisians banded together Sunday in spontaneous celebrations of life in defiance of the attacks — but then panic over firecrackers sent the crowds… Continue reading

A man carries two children after panic broke out among mourners who payed their respect at the attack sites at restaurant Le Petit Cambodge and the Carillon Hotel in Paris, Sunday.

Syrian refugee policy takes focus in US 2016 politics

WASHINGTON — The bloody attacks in Paris are putting the Syrian refugee crisis at center stage in U.S. politics as migrants from that war-torn country… Continue reading

This photo released Friday by French Police shows 26-year old Salah Abdeslam, who is wanted by police in connection with recent terror attacks in Paris, as police investigations continue. The notice reads in French: "Call for witnesses - Police are hunting a suspect : Salah Abdeslam, born on Sept. 15, 1989 Brussels, Belgium. ...Dangerous individual don't intervene yourself".

After Paris attacks, fugitive slipped through dragnet

PARIS — Hours after the synchronized attacks that terrorized Paris, French police questioned and released the suspect who is now the focus of an international… Continue reading

This photo released Friday by French Police shows 26-year old Salah Abdeslam, who is wanted by police in connection with recent terror attacks in Paris, as police investigations continue. The notice reads in French: "Call for witnesses - Police are hunting a suspect : Salah Abdeslam, born on Sept. 15, 1989 Brussels, Belgium. ...Dangerous individual don't intervene yourself".
A bullet hole is seen Sunday in the window of the restaurant on Rue de Charonne, Paris, where attacks took place on Friday.

Paris attacks signal move toward more global IS strategy

BAGHDAD — As the deadly attacks in Paris made horrifically clear, the Islamic State group is determined to establish itself as the dominant jihadist movement… Continue reading

A bullet hole is seen Sunday in the window of the restaurant on Rue de Charonne, Paris, where attacks took place on Friday.

Disagreements threaten uneasy truce between tribes, Maine

PLEASANT POINT, Maine — Eighty-one years after a neglected tribal water supply caused a devastating outbreak of typhoid fever and a century after the state… Continue reading

Future uncertain for rare white deer at weapons site

ROMULUS, N.Y. — Hundreds of ghostly white deer roaming among overgrown munitions bunkers at a sprawling former Army weapons depot face an uncertain future after… Continue reading

A woman carrying flowers cries in front of the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant Saturday in Paris.

Eiffel Tower goes dark as France mourns

PARIS — The Eiffel Tower stood dark in a symbol of mourning Saturday night as France struggled to absorb the deadliest violence on its soil… Continue reading

A woman carrying flowers cries in front of the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant Saturday in Paris.

Hospital raid video gives rare look at murky Israeli unit

JERUSALEM — Security camera footage of a deadly Israeli arrest raid in a West Bank hospital on Thursday gave a rare glimpse into the murky… Continue reading

President Barack Obama bestows the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, to Florent Groberg during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Thursday.

Army captain awarded Medal of Honor

WASHINGTON — An Army captain who shoved a suicide bomber to the ground and away from his security detail became the nation’s newest Medal of… Continue reading

President Barack Obama bestows the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, to Florent Groberg during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Thursday.
Students at Boston College raise their arms during a solidarity demonstration on the school's campus Thursday in Newton, Massachussetts. The protest was among numerous campus actions around the country following the racially charged strife at the University of Missouri.

Black students complain of casual racism

BOSTON — It’s not always the slurs and the other out-and-out acts of racism. It’s the casual, everyday slights and insensitivities.Sheryce Holloway is tired of… Continue reading

Students at Boston College raise their arms during a solidarity demonstration on the school's campus Thursday in Newton, Massachussetts. The protest was among numerous campus actions around the country following the racially charged strife at the University of Missouri.

Backlash over Mormon LGBT rule spreads among faithful

SALT LAKE CITY — New Mormon church rules targeting gay members and their children have triggered a firestorm of backlash from church members of all… Continue reading

From Australia to Zambia, slowing China economy causes pain

China’s economic troubles have dropped on the doorstep of a sun-weathered house at 18 Edgar St. in Port Hedland on Australia’s northwest coast.Four years ago,… Continue reading

US troops didn’t have eyes on Afghan hospital before attack

WASHINGTON — Immediately after the U.S. killed at least 30 people in a devastating airstrike on a charity hospital, Afghanistan’s national security adviser told a… Continue reading

Protesters march through the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday carrying the coffins of seven ethnic Hazaras who were allegedly killed by the Taliban and calling for a new government that can ensure security in the country.

Thousands of Afghans march, demand justice for slain Shiites

KABUL, Afghanistan — Anger and frustration over the brutal killings of seven members of Afghanistan’s minority Hazaras spilled into the streets of Kabul on Wednesday,… Continue reading

Protesters march through the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday carrying the coffins of seven ethnic Hazaras who were allegedly killed by the Taliban and calling for a new government that can ensure security in the country.
In this Tuesday photo, forestry officials ride on the back of an elephant as they patrol an area affected by forest fire in Siak, Riau province, Indonesia.

Indonesia uses trained elephants to control forest fires

SIAK, Indonesia — Forest fires difficult to control? Call in the pachyderm patrol.Officials in Indonesia are using trained elephants outfitted with water pumps and hoses… Continue reading

In this Tuesday photo, forestry officials ride on the back of an elephant as they patrol an area affected by forest fire in Siak, Riau province, Indonesia.
Korean Vietnam War veterans prepare to march in the annual Veteran's Day parade in New York Wednesday.

Veterans Day around the United States

Ninety-seven years ago, an armistice ended World War I, which was then the greatest conflict the world had ever seen. Armistice Day became Veterans Day… Continue reading

Korean Vietnam War veterans prepare to march in the annual Veteran's Day parade in New York Wednesday.