WARSAW, Poland – Poland welcomed Pope Benedict XVI with cheers and fluttering yellow and white Vatican flags as the German-born pontiff started a four-day visit aimed at honoring predecessor John Paul II and healing wounds from World War II. Benedict beamed broadly and waved as he descended from the plane, …

CASTROVILLE, Calif. – Off-key pop idol William Hung has something new to crow about: He’s being crowned “Artichoke King” in the small city that calls itself “artichoke capital of the world.” Hung, 23, the earnest crooner who butchered Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” tune on “American Idol,” will ride in a …

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Prisoners with makeshift weapons battled guards trying to save a detainee pretending to commit suicide at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in what military officials said Friday was a coordinated attack that left six prisoners injured. Word of the injuries comes as a …

WASHINGTON – Scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs will be able to vie for a grand prize of $10 million, and smaller prizes reaching millions of dollars, under House-passed legislation to encourage research into hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Legislation creating the “H-Prize,” modeled after the privately funded Ansari X Prize that …

The long-dormant idea of teaching public school students about the literary and historic importance of the Bible is getting a fresh look this year from state legislatures and local school boards — though with political bickering and questions about what should be included. The buzz results mostly from “The Bible …

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Deb Gerfin is haunted by nightmares of her husband’s final moments as flames spread across the walls and ceiling of The Station nightclub in 2003. “Have you ever had to tell your children that their daddy is missing and presumed dead, and hear them wail in grief?” …

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UPS Inc. (UPS) announced a $1 billion expansion at its main air hub Wednesday that will add more than 5,000 jobs as the world’s largest shipping carrier anticipates strong growth in global commerce. The project will add 1.1 million square feet to the company’s vast sorting complex …

LONDON – Britain’s “naked rambler,” who has had numerous brushes with the law for nudity on land, was arrested Thursday after shedding his clothes aboard an aircraft. Stephen Gough, 47, was on his way to Edinburgh for a hearing at the Appeal Court, where he was challenging four contempt of …

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The U.S. will take the fight against terrorism to every shore and outpost in pursuit of enemies like none before, not relenting until their defeat and showing the same resolve that won the Cold War, President Bush told West Point graduates Saturday. “America will fight the …

HOUSTON – Big Hawk, a rapper whose 2001 album reached No. 45 on Billboard’s rap chart, was shot to death, police said Tuesday. Hawk (real name: John Edward Hawkins) was a member of the late DJ Screw’s rap collective the Screwed Up Click and brother to rapper Fat Pat, who …