Hitchhiker's dad stands by son in NJ killing
He was a gregarious, spontaneous child, his father said, a handful at times who loved music and playing the guitar.
WikiLeaks case file fight moves to federal court
The WikiLeaks organization and a handful of journalists are asking a federal judge in Baltimore to order greater transparency in the court-martial of an Army private who has acknowledged sending reams of classified documents to the WikiLeaks website.
Pocket-dialing 911 leads to Fla. murder charge
Authorities in South Florida say a man is charged with murder because he was overheard discussing the killing when his cellphone pocket-dialed 911.
The next steps in Jodi Arias case
The focus of the Jodi Arias murder trial now turns to the jury as it decides whether to impose a life or death sentence.
Killer's execution delayed indefinitely by Colorado governor
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper indefinitely delayed the execution of convicted killer Nathan Dunlap on Wednesday and said he was unlikely to allow it as long as he is governor.
Arizona House non-prayer sparks Christian re-do
An atheist lawmaker's decision to give the daily prayer at the Arizona House of Representatives triggered a do-over from a Christian lawmaker who said the previous day's prayer didn't pass muster.
Minn. teen whose farewell song became web hit dies
A Minnesota teenager whose farewell song became a YouTube sensation has died after a fight with bone cancer.
Zimmerman wants Trayvon's pot use referenced
An attorney for the neighborhood watch leader charged with fatally shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is asking a judge to deny prosecutors' request that the teen's marijuana use be off limits.
Facebook posts: Suit filed over vet's detention
A civil liberties group has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of an ex-Marine, claiming his rights were violated when he was detained in a psychiatric facility after posting anti-government messages on Facebook.
Singer-songwriter Carole King to be honored at White House by President Obama
President Barack Obama will present singer-songwriter Carole King with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on Wednesday night, the first woman to receive the award given by the Library of Congress
Little done in Brazil to improve safety after fire
Relatives of the victims of a nightclub fire that killed 242 people early this year in southern Brazil say little has been done to improve the safety of public gathering places since the tragedy.
New Paraguay leaders promise more free milk
Paraguay exports enough soy, wheat and corn to feed 80 million people, more than 10 times its population, and its rivers provide abundant fresh water.
4-nation Pacific Alliance trade bloc forges ahead
The presidents of Colombia, Peru, Chile and Mexico meet in the western city of Cali on Thursday in hopes of completing a nascent trade bloc that looks to the European Union as a model and aims to further open their trade with Asia.
Argentine Indians ask president for their lands
Argentina's Qom Indians have asked President Cristina Fernandez for help in recovering some of their ancestral land.
France boosting security at facilities abroad
France's Foreign Ministry says it is strengthening security measures, hiring more guards and buying new equipment to help protect French facilities abroad amid shifting threats.
Mexico cartel dominates, torches western state
The western Mexico state of Michoacan is burning.
Colombia: 9 soldiers killed by in rebel attack
At least nine Colombian soldiers were killed in an attack with homemade explosives by the country's second-largest leftist rebel band, the military said Wednesday.
Police arrest Dominican accused of raping 60 women
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have arrested a man suspected of raping at least 60 women in the past two years.
Palestinians have little faith in Kerry effort
Palestinians believe the U.S. effort to restart peace talks is doomed, and they're preparing instead to resume their campaign of seeking membership in key international organizations as soon as next month, officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
EU consider labelling Hezbollah military wing a terrorist group, say officials
The European Union is reassessing whether to declare the Lebanese party Hezbollah's military wing a terrorist organization, a move it has long shied from despite pressure from the U.S., officials said Wednesday.
