Suspicious packages addressed to actor Robert De Niro and former Vice President Joe Biden were intercepted Thursday, and investigators said they were similar to crude pipe bombs sent to former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and CNN.None of the devices exploded and no one was injured, but the packages, sent to prominent Democrats critical of President Donald Trump, underscored the heightened political tensions and fears two weeks before national midterm elections.Police said the package

It's taken nearly seven years, but a Japanese leader is making an official visit to China for bilateral talks for the first time since late 2011. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Beijing on Thursday as both countries try to repair ties that have been riven by disputes over territory, military expansion in the Pacific and World War II history.  Abe met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ahead of a Friday summit with China's top leader, President Xi Jinping. He is scheduled to return to Japan on

TOKYO (AP) -- A Japanese journalist freed after more than three years of captivity in Syria said Wednesday he is safe in neighboring Turkey.Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Japanese Embassy officials met with the freelance journalist, Jumpei Yasuda, at an immigration center in southern Turkey near the border with Syria.“We are extremely pleased that we have confirmed the safety of Mr. Jumpei Yasuda,” Kono told reporters.Yasuda was kidnapped in 2015 by al-Qaida’s branch in Syria, known at

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — In a fiery and unwavering appearance Wednesday at an investment forum, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince called the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi “heinous” and “painful to all Saudis,” before warning anyone against trying to “manipulate” the crisis and drive a wedge between the kingdom and Turkey.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was joined onstage by two Arab allies as he made his first extensive public remarks about the killing that has sparked widespread condemnat

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (AP) -- Tesla Motors delivered on CEO Elon Musk’s promise to make money during its latest quarter after fulfilling his pledge to boost production of its first electric car designed for the mass market.The company earned $311.5 million during the three months ending in September, swinging from a loss of $619 million at the same time last year. It’s only the third time that Tesla has posted a quarterly profit in its eight-year history as a public company and the first time in

WASHINGTON (AP) — A sudden wave of pipe bombs targeting Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, other prominent Democrats and CNN was thwarted without physical harm, but an anxiety-filled day on Wednesday deepened political tensions and fears two weeks before national midterm elections.None of the bombs detonated as law enforcement took them away for examination and disposal.The first crude bomb to be discovered had been delivered Monday to the suburban New York compound of George Soros,

Russian President Vladimir Putin poked fun at the official seal of the United States while hosting US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Tuesday, saying he wondered if the American eagle had plucked all the olives from the branch in its talon.While sitting down with John Bolton at the Kremlin, Putin mentioned Trump’s stated intent to pull the US out of a pivotal arms control treaty. He said Moscow also was aware of Washington’s doubts about extending another landmark nuclear trea

Apple offers you a simple trade-off with its new iPhone XR, the middlebrow cousin to the top-of-the-line iPhone XS.On one hand, the XR lacks the high-resolution screen and dual-lens camera found on the XS. On the other, you’d save at least $250 and still get most of the other cutting-edge features found on the more expensive model. (AP)Based on several days of testing, it looks like Apple made the right cost-cutting trade-offs with the XR, which starts selling Friday for about $750. The standard

China opened the world's longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland on Tuesday in a feat of engineering carrying immense economic and political significance. Chinese President Xi Jinping was in the city of Zhuhai to cut the ribbon on the 55 kilometer (34 mile) long bridge linking it to the semi autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him as leaders of the three cities looked on.  (Kin Cheung/Associated Press)The $20 billion brid

An airstrike by the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group targeted a mosque in Syria last week because it was determined to be an insurgent command-and-control center, the US said Sunday.The coalition said in a statement that while the law of war protects mosques, the use of the building as a headquarters by IS caused it to lose that protected status. It said a dozen fighters were killed. (Getty Images)US Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the top American commander for the Middle East, said Su

BERLIN (AP) — A UN-backed fund has approved more than $1 billion for 19 new projects to help developing countries tackle climate change, officials said Sunday.During a four-day meeting in Bahrain that ended late Saturday, officials overseeing the Green Climate Fund also agreed to start seeking fresh money next year as its initial capital of about $6.6 billion will soon be used up.The South Korea-based fund, considered a key vehicle for climate-related development programs, was originally meant t

Two teenage suspects, including one who is still being sought by police, are facing charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a Georgia police officer who was killed while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a school, authorities said Sunday.Authorities said they believe 18-year-old Tafahree Maynard fatally shot Officer Antwan Toney on Saturday afternoon in the Snellville area, Gwinnett County Police said in a statement. Maynard remained at large early Sunday and should be cons

Congolese rebels killed 15 civilians and abducted a dozen children in an attack at the epicenter of the latest deadly Ebola outbreak, Congo’s military said Sunday, as the violence again forced crucial virus-containment efforts to be suspended.“It will be very hard to stop the outbreak if this violence continues,” said the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief, Peter Salama.(AP)A regional WHO official told The Associated Press that it was difficult to say how long work would be affected.C

LONDON (AP) -- Stephen Hawking was a cosmic visionary, a figure of inspiration and a global celebrity. His unique status is reflected in an upcoming auction of some of the late physicist's possessions: It includes complex scientific papers, one of the world's most iconic wheelchairs and a script from "The Simpsons." The online sale announced Monday by auctioneer Christie's features 22 items from Hawking, including his doctoral thesis on the origins of the universe, some of his many awards, and s

LONDON - Britain's defense secretary says the U.K. stands "absolutely resolute'' with the United States as President Donald Trump announced he will pull out from a landmark arms control agreement with Russia.Gavin Williamson blamed Russia for endangering the arm control pact, agreed between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in 1987, and called on the Kremlin to "get its house in order.'' Gavin Williamson (AP)Trump said he will exit the pact because Russia has violated it "for many years'' and it's p