North Korea says it tested H-bomb to widespread skepticism
By FOSTER KLUG South Korea (AP) — Soon after the ground shook around its nuclear testing facility, North Korea trumpeted its first hydrogen bomb test — a self-proclaimed “H-bomb of…
Government policy
Saudi allies scale back ties with Iran as tensions soar
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI and JON GAMBRELL Allies of Saudi Arabia followed the kingdom’s lead and began scaling back diplomatic ties to Iran on Monday after the ransacking of Saudi…
Paris climate goals mean emissions need to drop below zero
If governments are serious about the global warming targets they adopted in Paris, scientists say they have two options: eliminating fossil fuels immediately or finding ways to undo their damage…
Education, transportation highlight 2015 in Congress
By MATTHEW DALY In a chaotic year, when Republicans in the House unseated a speaker, Congress produced a significant amount of bipartisan legislation that affects every American. It enacted laws…
Congress set for year-end push on tax, spending compromise
By ALAN FRAM Congressional leaders are girded to push a Christmas compromise on tax cuts and spending through the House and Senate by week’s end after Republicans and Democrats reached…
The Latest: Climate talks to shift gears
As talks on a global climate agreement reach their mid-way point, negotiators are supposed to finish their work on a new draft and hand it over to environment and foreign…
Senate set to OK Republican bill unraveling health care law
By ALAN FRAM Republicans are pushing toward Senate approval of legislation demolishing President Barack Obama’s signature health care law and halting Planned Parenthood’s federal money, setting up a veto fight…
Hamstrung by Congress, Obama tries to clinch climate pact
By JOSH LEDERMAN and SETH BORENSTEIN President Barack Obama is trying to negotiate a legacy-making climate change pact this coming week in Paris with one hand tied behind his back.…