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Aedes aegypti mosquitoes sit in a petri dish at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. The mosquito is a vector for the proliferation of the Zika virus currently spreading throughout Latin America. New figures from Brazil's Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Brazil: 270 of 4,180 suspected Zika virus cases confirmed

RIO DE JANEIRO — New figures released Wednesday by Brazil’s Health Ministry as part of a probe into the Zika virus have found fewer cases… Continue reading

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes sit in a petri dish at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. The mosquito is a vector for the proliferation of the Zika virus currently spreading throughout Latin America. New figures from Brazil's Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Snyder pledges help amid mistrust of government

FLINT, Mich. — Flint residents coping with lead contamination will be cleared to drink unfiltered water again only when outside experts determine it is safe,… Continue reading

Authorities: Last activists should leave Ore. preserve

BURNS, Ore. — A day after the leaders of an armed anti-government group were arrested, authorities on Wednesday urged a handful of activists remaining at… Continue reading

Debate feud injects fresh chaos into GOP primary

DES MOINES, Iowa — An explosive feud between Donald Trump and Fox News is overshadowing the final sprint to Iowa’s presidential caucuses, injecting a new… Continue reading

Task force: How to cut inmate count by 60,000

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department should limit the types of cases it brings and more nonviolent criminals should be steered toward probation and away from… Continue reading

Scientists: ‘Doomsday Clock’ reflects grave threat

STANFORD, Calif. — Rising tension between Russia and the U.S., North Korea’s recent nuclear test and a lack of aggressive steps to address climate change… Continue reading

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, right, applauds introduces Clinton during a campaign rally at Burford Garner Elementary School, on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in North Liberty, Iowa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Two anti-abortion activists accused of using fake licenses

AUSTIN, Texas — Two anti-abortion activists who made undercover videos about Planned Parenthood are accused of using fake driver’s licenses to infiltrate the group, indictments… Continue reading

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, right, applauds introduces Clinton during a campaign rally at Burford Garner Elementary School, on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in North Liberty, Iowa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Gov’t group urges doctors to screen all adults for depression

WASHINGTON — All adults, including pregnant women and new mothers, should be screened for depression as a routine part of health care, a government advisory… Continue reading

Police search California communities where inmates have ties

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Unlike similar escapes where dangerous inmates fled into rural areas, the three men who broke out of a Southern California… Continue reading

Denmark OKs seizing valuables from migrants

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Danish lawmakers voted Tuesday to let police seize valuables worth more than $1,500 from asylum-seekers to help cover their housing and food… Continue reading

A health worker stands in the Sambadrome Tuesday as he sprays insecticide to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmits the Zika virus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Sambadrome will host thousands of dancers and musicians during the city's Feb. 5-10 Carnival celebrations.

Brazil is ‘losing battle’ against mosquito

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s health minister says the country is sending some 220,000 troops to battle the mosquito blamed for spreading a virus suspected… Continue reading

A health worker stands in the Sambadrome Tuesday as he sprays insecticide to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmits the Zika virus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Sambadrome will host thousands of dancers and musicians during the city's Feb. 5-10 Carnival celebrations.
A Syrian woman with her children takes a shelter in a iron box during a rainfall, after they arrived from Turkey to the Greek deserted island of Pasas near Chios on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. Thousands of migrants and refugees continue to reach Greece's shores despite the winter weather. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Cheap loans proposed to ease aid gap in Syria refugee crisis

AMMAN, Jordan — Faced with a chronic shortfall in Syria aid, the World Bank and other donors are promoting new ideas, including interest-free development loans… Continue reading

A Syrian woman with her children takes a shelter in a iron box during a rainfall, after they arrived from Turkey to the Greek deserted island of Pasas near Chios on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. Thousands of migrants and refugees continue to reach Greece's shores despite the winter weather. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Marvin Velasco, 15, practices soccer outside his new home in Los Angeles on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. Velasco's perilous journey from Guatemala included crossing a river, even though he doesn't swim, and getting lost at night in a frigid desert. Once in the United States, he turned himself in to U.S. Border Patrol agents in Reynosa, Texas, and was sent to a shelter run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

AP probe: Feds’ failures imperil migrant children

LOS ANGELES — As tens of thousands of children fleeing violence in Central America crossed the border in search of safe harbor, overwhelmed U.S. officials… Continue reading

Marvin Velasco, 15, practices soccer outside his new home in Los Angeles on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. Velasco's perilous journey from Guatemala included crossing a river, even though he doesn't swim, and getting lost at night in a frigid desert. Once in the United States, he turned himself in to U.S. Border Patrol agents in Reynosa, Texas, and was sent to a shelter run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

WHO says Zika likely in all but 2 countries in Americas

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The World Health Organization says the Zika virus that’s suspected of causing birth defects is likely to spread to every country… Continue reading

EU police warn that more attacks by IS militants are likely

PARIS (AP) — Europe’s top police agency issued a stark warning Monday: Islamic State extremists will keep attempting lethal attacks on soft targets in Europe… Continue reading

Amid heavy security, Egypt marks 5th anniversary of uprising

CAIRO (AP) — Amid heavy security Monday, Egypt marked the fifth anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak, with activists taking to… Continue reading

Flint resident Mycal Anderson, 9, reacts to having his blood drawn for lead testing while sitting on his mother Rochelle Anderson's lap at the Flint Masonic Temple on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 in Flint, Mich. The event was organized by Herb Sanders of Sanders Law Firm in Detroit, Mich., Change Agent Consortium, Rev. David Bullock, and Mothers of Murdered Children. Following blood drawings by Quest Diagnostics, residents should know their results in 7-14 business days. (Conor Ralph/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP)

Ex-prosecutor to lead probe into Flint water

LANSING, Mich. — A former prosecutor and a retired head of the Detroit FBI will play key roles in an investigation into Flint’s lead-tainted water… Continue reading

Flint resident Mycal Anderson, 9, reacts to having his blood drawn for lead testing while sitting on his mother Rochelle Anderson's lap at the Flint Masonic Temple on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 in Flint, Mich. The event was organized by Herb Sanders of Sanders Law Firm in Detroit, Mich., Change Agent Consortium, Rev. David Bullock, and Mothers of Murdered Children. Following blood drawings by Quest Diagnostics, residents should know their results in 7-14 business days. (Conor Ralph/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP)

Justices extend bar on automatic life terms for teenagers

WASHINGTON — More than 1,000 prison inmates, some behind bars more than 50 years for murders they committed as teenagers, will get a chance to… Continue reading

In this Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015 photo, a page from IRS.gov regarding IRS electronic filing information for a direct deposit of a refund is displayed on a mobile phone screen in Los Angeles. Electronic filing was up 2.4 percent in 2015 from 2014. Similarly, the use of direct deposit for refund checks also is gaining in popularity. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Tax season: IRS begins to accept returns

WASHINGTON — What’s new when you file your taxes this year? Taxpayers without health insurance will face larger penalties, and those insured by their employers… Continue reading

In this Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015 photo, a page from IRS.gov regarding IRS electronic filing information for a direct deposit of a refund is displayed on a mobile phone screen in Los Angeles. Electronic filing was up 2.4 percent in 2015 from 2014. Similarly, the use of direct deposit for refund checks also is gaining in popularity. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Democratic Presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. gestures as he speaks during a campaign stop, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Peterborough, N.H. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Clinton faces challenge in Iowa caucus reminiscent of 2008

WASHINGTON — Recall this 2008 storyline: Hillary Clinton enters the presidential campaign as the Democratic front-runner, runs into an inspirational candidate who generates big crowds… Continue reading

Democratic Presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. gestures as he speaks during a campaign stop, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Peterborough, N.H. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)