BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A man accused of firing an assault rifle at the White House believed he was Jesus and thought President Barack Obama was the Antichrist, according to court documents and those who knew him. At one point, he even suggested to an acquaintance the president was planning to implant c

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Long viewed as big on talk but short on action, a bloc of Southeast Asian nations has seen its global clout surge during the last year under the leadership of regional giant Indonesia. But the group’s impact could diminish after the torch passes to smaller, less democratic nations following a summit this week.That would be bad news for the United States, which has looked to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to help keep China’s regional ambitions in check and to develo

Oman, Korea expanding relations and cooperationThe following was contributed by Oman Ambassador to Korea Mohamed Alharthy on the occasion of the 41st National Day of the Sultanate of Oman. ― Ed.This Nov. 18, the Sultanate is celebrating its 41st National Day continuing its modern renaissance with strong steps to maintain the power to achieve its goals, of which the main ones are development and prosperity, the happiness for the Omani citizens, and enhancing the national joint between leader H.M

Countering China, Washington vows to expand influence in AsiaCANBERRA (AP) ― Signaling a determination to counter a rising China, President Barack Obama vowed Thursday to expand U.S. influence in the Asia-Pacific region and “project power and deter threats to peace” in that part of the world even as he reduces defense spending and winds down two wars.“The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay,” he declared in a speech to the Australian Parliament, sending an unmistakable mes

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A man wanted in an investigation of shots fired near the White House was arrested Wednesday in the state of Pennsylvania, a day after agents discovered two bullets had struck the executive mansion while President Barack Obama was away, the U.S. Secret Service said.Law enforcement o

SAINT EMILION, France (AFP) ― Residents of Saint Emilion, a hugely popular UNESCO World Heritage site in southwest France, were shocked when their mayor sold a medieval monument to pay off debts.And while the council has defended the controversial sale as a means of raising much-needed cash for the upkeep of historic sites, it has undertaken to rethink the strategy and find alternative means of funding in future.“Saint Emilion has a very rich medieval heritage but that leaves them with a lot to

The intense grief that Kim II-nam has felt every day since his father died 27 years ago led to a startling decision: He dug up the grave, cremated his father’s bones and paid $870 to have the ashes transformed into gem-like beads.Kim is not alone in his desire to keep a loved one close ― even in death. Changes in traditional South Korean beliefs about cherishing ancestors and a huge increase in cremation have led to a handful of niche businesses that cater to those who see honoring an urn filled