Senate opens showdown with Obama over Iran sanctions
By DEB RIECHMANN Senators in both parties squared off with the Obama administration Wednesday about whether the threat of new sanctions would scuttle nuclear talks with Iran as House Speaker…
Business
TV networks make unequal progress toward on-screen diversity
By DAVID BAUDER, LYNN ELBER and FRAZIER MOORE Kenya Barris, creator of ABC’s “black-ish,” was motivated to write the comedy about an African-American family’s efforts to honor its heritage in…
In State of the Union, Obama aims to influence 2016 debate
By JULIE PACE Key elements of the economic proposals President Barack Obama will outline in his State of the Union address Tuesday appear to be aimed at driving the debate…
New privacy concerns over government’s health care website
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and JACK GILLUM A little-known side to the government’s health insurance website is prompting renewed concerns about privacy, just as the White House is calling for stronger…
Islamic State group threatens to kill 2 Japanese hostages
By JON GAMBRELL and MARI YAMAGUCHI The Islamic State group threatened to kill two Japanese hostages Tuesday unless they receive $200 million in 72 hours, directly demanding the ransom from…
Multi-car pileups claim 3 lives on icy Pennsylvania highways
A pair of multi-car pileups — including one involving dozens of vehicles — in icy conditions on interstates in the Philadelphia area claimed at least three lives on Sunday, authorities…
Obama’s address to pitch tax proposals to help middle class
By JULIE PACE President Barack Obama is turning to his biggest television audience of the year to pitch tax increases on the wealthiest Americans and put the new Republican Congress…
AP Exclusive: Academy president responds to Oscar firestorm
By SANDY COHEN Responding for the first time to the firestorm of criticism over the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations, film academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs says…