U.S. House rejects Homeland Security funding

WASHINGTON (AP) — The rebellious Republican-controlled House unexpectedly voted down short-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security late Friday, increasing the prospect of a partial shutdown at midnight…

U.S., Liberia start first big test of Ebola virus drug

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The U.S. and Liberian governments have just begun the first formal patient testing of an experimental Ebola virus treatment that’s previously been used only on an emergency basis.

White House drafts privacy bill

 WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid “rapid growth” in the collection of data on Americans, the White House has drafted legislation that calls on businesses to do more to help consumers protect their personal information.

Eight shot to death in Missouri rampage

TYRONE, Mo. — A gunman killed seven people and wounded an eighth person in an overnight house-to-house rampage in a small town in the Missouri Ozarks before apparently committing suicide in a vehicle, authorities s…

T.J. Maxx, Marshalls to follow Walmart in raising workers' pay

NEW YORK (AP) — The owner of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Home Goods stores said Wednesday that it will boost pay for its U.S. workers to at least $9 per hour. 

Students to search for missing human head

 POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Authorities have recruited Idaho State University staff and graduate students to search some large caves for a missing human head in a mysterious cold-case killing. 

Three men nabbed in plot to join Islamic State

 NEW YORK (AP) — Three men were arrested Wednesday on charges of plotting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group and wage war against the U.S., and federal officials said one of them spoke of attacking …

Gas buildup leads to explosion

 STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Natural gas leaking from an underground main traveled into a New Jersey house, built up in its basement and exploded when it came in contact with an open flame from an appliance, inv…

Kerry grilled again, this time in House

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry played defense Wednesday on Capitol Hill, fielding dozens of questions from lawmakers worried about what Iran could get in a deal being negotiated to block its abilit…

Dozens of Syrian Christians abducted by Islamic State

BEIRUT (AP) — The Islamic State militants struck before dawn, staging house-to-house raids in a cluster of villages nestled along the Khabur River in northeastern Syria. They abducted at least 70 Christians — many …

Defying GOP, Obama vetoes pipeline bill

Ukraine: First war prisoner exchange completed

ZHOLOBOK, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian military and separatist representatives exchanged dozens of prisoners under cover of darkness at a remote frontline location Saturday evening, kicking off a process intended to us…

Zimbabwe's Mugabe marks 91st birthday as country struggles

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe turns 91 on Saturday, with his supporters saying they will back him to run his full term until 2018 and beyond despite nagging questions about his health a…

Afghanistan dialogue with Taliban could begin in March

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — After more than a decade of warfare, negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban are set to begin, officials, diplomats and experts said as President Ashraf Ghani declared t…