WASHINGTON – Republicans lawmakers again gummed up the legislative process in the Democrat-controlled House despite slimmer numbers that usually keep them from getting their way. Republicans, are angered over what they see as Democratic stalling on expired terror surveillance legislation, mounted a two-wave parliamentary attack on what otherwise would have …

ACCRA, Ghana – U.S. President George W. Bush is pushing trade and aid in this tropical land of gold and diamonds, the latest stop on what he has dubbed his “mission of mercy” to Africa. Bush got a ceremonial welcome Wednesday in Ghana, a stable democracy that gets U.S. assistance …

A 12-year-old British girl who reportedly was a contender for the 2012 Olympics was crushed to death in a horse-riding accident, the Daily Telegraph reports. Shannon Bloomfield was riding her horse Poppy at an indoor jumping event when the horse didn’t negotiate the fence and it fell awkwardly, trapping her, …

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrapped up a two-day official visit to South Africa Friday with multimillion dollar investment deals and an emotional trip to Robben island and its most famous former inmate, Nelson Mandela. But it was the French first lady who stole the show, attracting …

PARIS – French judges are sending 29 people to trial for the torture and killing of a young Jewish man two years ago, judicial authorities said Monday. Authorities said 21 of the suspects, including alleged ringleader Youssouf Fofana, would be tried by a youth court, because two of them were …

LOS ANGELES – The 3-month-old Hollywood writers strike could enter its final chapter Saturday when guild members gather in Los Angeles and New York to consider a proposed contract. If writers respond favorably, the walkout that has devastated the entertainment industry could end as soon as Monday. Writers were wavering …

WASHINGTON – The leaders of a House panel that oversees military spending said Wednesday they are drafting legislation that would pay for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the rest of the year. Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, the top Democrat on the committee, predicted the proposal would be …

PHOENIX – Gov. Janet Napolitano says Congressman Rick Renzi should resign from office. The Democratic governor says federal criminal charges against the Arizona Republican effectively deprive residents of Renzi’s 1st Congressional District of representation. Napolitano notes that Renzi stopped serving on committees while under investigation, and she says the new …

Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but I thought by now I’d be able to sit at any city cafe, park bench or airport bar across the country and jump on the Internet via a free Wi-Fi connection. Such ubiquitous Wi-Fi is still years away. But several companies are betting enough …

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela and Ecuador warned that a regional diplomatic crisis wouldn’t cool down without clear international condemnation of Colombia’s government for a deadly cross-border strike leftist rebels hiding inside Ecuador. On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called the Colombian raid that killed two dozen rebels a “war crime.” …