A man waits with his dog to have a picture taken with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, in North Las Vegas, Nev. Clinton made a stop for ice cream with her staff and posed for pictures with people. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Clinton’s strong debate is warning for GOP

WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton’s polished performance in the first Democratic debate did more than send a message to her primary rivals. It was a… Continue reading

A man waits with his dog to have a picture taken with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, in North Las Vegas, Nev. Clinton made a stop for ice cream with her staff and posed for pictures with people. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Indian playwright and theater artiste Maya Krishna Rao rests at her residence in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday. As of Wednesday, 41 novelists, essayists, playwrights and poets writing in English as well as regional languages, have returned the awards they received from India's prestigious literary academy in protest, saying they cannot remain silent any longer about numerous incidents of communal violence or attacks on intellectuals across the country over the past year. "It's become a question of an individual's right to speak, to think, to write, to eat, to dress, to debate," said Rao, who returned her award to the academy this week.

41 writers return Indian award, cite climate of intolerance

NEW DELHI — Many in India’s literary community are disgusted. Dozens of writers say every day brings more evidence of intolerance and bigotry going mainstream… Continue reading

Indian playwright and theater artiste Maya Krishna Rao rests at her residence in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday. As of Wednesday, 41 novelists, essayists, playwrights and poets writing in English as well as regional languages, have returned the awards they received from India's prestigious literary academy in protest, saying they cannot remain silent any longer about numerous incidents of communal violence or attacks on intellectuals across the country over the past year. "It's become a question of an individual's right to speak, to think, to write, to eat, to dress, to debate," said Rao, who returned her award to the academy this week.

Russian cities ponder 1-day-a-week booze ban

MOSCOW — Some Russian officials are daring to think the seemingly unthinkable in the land of vodka — banning the sale of alcohol once a… Continue reading

Israeli police stand around a Palestinian shot after he allegedly tried to stab a person at Damascus Gate of the Jerusalem's Old City on Wednesday.

As attacks continue, Israeli army begins deploying troops

JERUSALEM — Hundreds of soldiers fanned out in cities across Israel on Wednesday and authorities erected concrete barriers outside some Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem… Continue reading

Israeli police stand around a Palestinian shot after he allegedly tried to stab a person at Damascus Gate of the Jerusalem's Old City on Wednesday.

Jury: Boy not liable for exuberant hello that injured aunt

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut jury on Tuesday rejected a woman’s bid to sue her 12-year-old nephew for injuries she says she suffered from… Continue reading

Woman charged in shots fired at suspected shoplifters

DETROIT (AP) — A suburban Detroit woman licensed to carry a concealed weapon was charged after authorities say she shot and flattened an SUV’s tire… Continue reading

Ryan weighs job of House speaker

WASHINGTON — Maybe Rep. Paul Ryan doesn’t feel like a character in the classic film “The Godfather,” weighing an offer he can’t refuse. But with… Continue reading

Planned Parenthood changes fetal-tissue reimbursement policy

NEW YORK — Responding to a furor over undercover videos, Planned Parenthood says it will maintain programs at some of its clinics that make fetal… Continue reading

Probe: Buk missile downed Malaysian airliner in Ukraine

GILZE-RIJEN AIR BASE, Netherlands — The missile shot skyward from war-ravaged eastern Ukraine. With deadly accuracy more than six miles up, it detonated just in… Continue reading

US draws a line on protecting CIA-backed rebels in Syria

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Russian military intervention to prop up Syria’s government has brought new scrutiny of the CIA’s secret support to Syrian rebels fighting… Continue reading

Brother of US journalist condemns ‘cruel’ detention in Iran

WASHINGTON (AP) — The brother of Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post journalist detained in Iran and convicted in secret, described his brother’s imprisonment as “cruel… Continue reading

Journalist says Canada PM abandoned him during Egypt ordeal

TORONTO (AP) — A Canadian journalist who spent much of last two years jailed in Egypt said Tuesday that he felt “betrayed and abandoned” by… Continue reading

The rivalry between Hilary Clinton (right) and Bernie Sanders (left) will be at the forefront as Democrats take the stage Tuesday in Las Vegas for the party's first debate of the 2016 campaign. The senator and the former secretary of state will be joined by a trio of candidates who occupy the basement of early polls, each looking to change their fortunes with a breakout moment in prime time.

Clinton, Sanders rivalry in spotlight as Democrats debate

WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton says she always expected tough competition in the Democratic presidential primary. It’s likely she didn’t expect it would come from… Continue reading

The rivalry between Hilary Clinton (right) and Bernie Sanders (left) will be at the forefront as Democrats take the stage Tuesday in Las Vegas for the party's first debate of the 2016 campaign. The senator and the former secretary of state will be joined by a trio of candidates who occupy the basement of early polls, each looking to change their fortunes with a breakout moment in prime time.

Prosecutions highlight bid to clean up defense supply chain

HARTFORD, Conn. — When Peter Picone sold counterfeit electronic parts from China and Hong Kong for use in U.S. Navy submarines, the U.S. Justice Department… Continue reading

In this Sept. 12 photo, a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate work crew builds a containment line ahead of flames from a fire near Sheep Ranch, California.

California may allow inmate firefighters with violent pasts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California officials are considering allowing inmates with violent backgrounds to work outside prison walls fighting wildfires, and the idea is generating concerns… Continue reading

In this Sept. 12 photo, a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate work crew builds a containment line ahead of flames from a fire near Sheep Ranch, California.
Angus Deaton speaks at a gathering at Princeton University after it was announced that he won the Nobel prize in economics on Monday in Princeton, New Jersey.  Deaton, 69, won the 8 million Swedish kronor (about $975,000) prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for work that the award committee said has had "immense importance for human welfare, not least in poor countries."

Princeton economist wins Nobel

Angus Deaton has dug into obscure data to explore a range of problems: The scope of poverty in India. How poor countries treat young girls.… Continue reading

Angus Deaton speaks at a gathering at Princeton University after it was announced that he won the Nobel prize in economics on Monday in Princeton, New Jersey.  Deaton, 69, won the 8 million Swedish kronor (about $975,000) prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for work that the award committee said has had "immense importance for human welfare, not least in poor countries."

A Putin craze takes hold in Middle East

BEIRUT — Amid the ornate walls of Damascus’ famed Omayyad Mosque, preacher Maamoun Rahmeh stood before worshippers last week, declaring Russian President Vladimir Putin a… Continue reading

Filipinos begin race for presidency, 18,000 other offices

MANILA, Philippines — The race for the Philippine presidency next year began on Monday with the country’s vice president being the first major contender to… Continue reading

Netanyahu accuses Arabs of incitement in wave of stabbings

JERUSALEM — Palestinians carried out three stabbings Monday in Jerusalem, leaving a teenage Israeli boy in critical condition, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angrily accused… Continue reading

In this photo taken Aug. 28, Democratic presidential candidate former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks in Minneapolis.

Democratic debate a breakout chance for O’Malley, others

DES MOINES, Iowa — Stuck far behind Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bernie Sanders in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Martin O’Malley needs a… Continue reading

In this photo taken Aug. 28, Democratic presidential candidate former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks in Minneapolis.