WASHINGTON — Lawmakers pored over a top-secret memo explaining the White House's rationale for drone strikes targeting al-Qaida operatives overseas, just hours before President Barack Obama's … more

The Senate's delay on Chuck Hagel's nomination to be defense secretary is giving outgoing Pentagon chief Leon Panetta a bigger megaphone and more time to wage his outspoken campaign against automatic … more

Deep-fried foods may be causing trouble in the Deep South. People whose diets are heavy on them and sugary drinks like sweet tea and soda were more likely to suffer a stroke, a new study finds.It's … more

One in 12 stroke survivors thought about suicide or that they would be better off dead, a troubling federal survey reveals. That's more than those with other health problems such as heart attacks or … more

PORTLAND — A lawyer for Nike told Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber the company was looking to expand outside the state unless it promised tax certainty. The statement was made in an email in early … more

HOT SPRINGS — A contracted helicopter crew is snagging and collaring elk at Wind Cave National Park in southwestern South Dakota as part of an effort to study the movement of the … more

BOSTON — People in the Northeast stocked up on food and supplies and road crews readied salt and sand Thursday as the region braced for a major winter storm that could bring up to 2 feet of snow to … more

KABUL, Afghanistan — Fawad Mohammadi has spent half his life peddling maps and dictionaries to foreigners on a street of trinket shops in Kabul. Now the 14-year-old Afghan boy with bright green … more

HONG KONG— For many of the richest people in Hong Kong, one of Asia's wealthiest cities, home is a mansion with an expansive view from the heights of Victoria Peak. For some of the poorest, like … more

TIMBUKTU, Mali — French troops began to withdraw from Timbuktu Thursday after securing the fabled city as they ramped up their mission in another northern Mali city, searching for Islamic … more