Japan approves joining int'l child abduction pact

In this May 5, 2010 file photo, fathers that lost their children to spousal abduction to Japan hold photos of their children during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Japan’s parliament has approved joining an international child custody treaty amid foreign concerns that Japane…

Gov't dysfunction may be baked into the system

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, following the Democratic policy luncheon Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Despite years of hand-wringing in both parties, little progress has been made toward changing congressional rules on fili…

Gov't dysfunction may be baked into the system

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, following the Republican policy luncheon, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Despite years of hand-wringing in both parties, little progress has been made toward changing congressional rules on…

IRS official to take the 5th at House hearing

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 21, 2013, before the Senate Banking Committee. Lew said the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) targeting of conservative political groups was "unacceptable and inexcusable" and he has directed the agency's actin…

Romo active on field while idled over cyst removal

FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2012 file photo, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) pauses during a media availability after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md. Romo will miss at least three weeks of offseason workouts after a procedure to remove a cyst from h…

Poll: Teens migrating to Twitter

A view of an iPhone in Washington Tuesday, May 21, 2013, showing the Twitter and Facebook apps among others. A new poll finds that teens are sharing more about themselves on social media. They’re also moving increasingly to Twitter to avoid their parents and the "oversharing" that they see o…

Former IRS chief: Can't say how targeting happened

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 21, 2013, before the Senate Banking Committee. Lew said the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) targeting of conservative political groups was "unacceptable and inexcusable" and he has directed the agency's actin…

Former IRS chief: Can't say how targeting happened

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., listens as Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew testifies before the committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Lew said the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative political groups was "unacceptable and in…

Former IRS chief: Can't say how targeting happened

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew prepares to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 21, 2013, before the Senate Banking Committee. Lew said the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) targeting of conservative political groups was "unacceptable and inexcusable" and he has directed the agen…

Lew: IRS actions "unacceptable and inexcusable"

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 21, 2013, before the Senate Banking Committee hearing. Lew said the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) targeting of conservative political groups was "unacceptable and inexcusable" and he has directed the agency…

Kerry to Mideast to advance struggling Syria plan

Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota at the State Department in Washington Monday, May 20, 2013. Kerry is heading back to the Middle East this week to press his case for peace talks between Syrian rebels and Presiden…

Kerry to Mideast to advance struggling Syria plan

FILE – In this April 21, 2013 file photo U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at a news conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Monday, May 20, 2013, Kerry heads back to the Mideast to press the case for peace talks between Syrian rebels and President Bashar Assad's regime amid increasing signs…

Kerry to Mideast to advance struggling Syria plan

FILE – In this April 21, 2013 file photo U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at a news conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Monday, May 20, 2013, Kerry heads back to the Mideast to press the case for peace talks between Syrian rebels and President Bashar Assad's regime amid increasing signs…

Ex-Pa. officer once hailed as hero faces charges

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 file photo, first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, stand with Philadelphia Police Officer Richard DeCoatsworth during President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol…

Military sex culture not easily changed

Chuck Hagel

Sexual abuse cases put Pentagon under fire

FILE - In this April 29, 2013 file photo, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks during a joint news conference at the Pentagon. A soldier assigned to coordinate a sexual assault prevention program in Texas is under investigation for "abusive sexual contact" and other alleged misconduct and ha…

Justices more diverse than lawyers before court

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2013 file photo special counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Debo Adegbile, speaks with the media outside the Supreme Court in Washington after presenting arguments in the Shelby County, Ala., v. Holder voting rights case. At the time Adegbile was the first, and a…

Two officials blast State Department on Benghazi

"I'd call it a cover-up."

In entire court term, justices see 1 black lawyer

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2013 file photo special counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Debo Adegbile, speaks with the media outside the Supreme Court in Washington after presenting arguments in the Shelby County, Ala., v. Holder voting rights case. At the time Adegbile was the first, and a…

Obama hails courage of nation's police officers

President Barack Obama gestures during remarks at an event to honor the 2013 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners in the East Room of the White House on Saturday, May 11, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Obama hails courage of nation's police officers

President Barack Obama smiles during remarks at an event to honor the 2013 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners in the East Room of the White House on Saturday, May 11, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

McCain plan would mandate a la carte pay TV

John McCain

Cost study of immigration reform sparks conservative rift

defends study

Gun control legislation defeated

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pauses before speaking after losing a vote on gun legislation on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Washington. Senate Republicans backed by a small band of rural-state Democrats scuttled the most far reaching gun control legislation in t…

Gun control legislation defeated

Carlee Soto, sister of Sandy Hook teacher Victoria Soto, left, and Erica Laffferty, daughter of Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung, embrace outside the Senate chamber after a vote on gun legislation on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Washington. Senate Republicans backed by a…

"Shame on you," Tucson shooting survivor yells after gun vote

Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is escorted in the hallway outside the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington today before the start of a Senate vote on gun control legislation.

Animal shots of the week

Andrew Portare, of Manassas, Va., plays with his dog Trigger during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Washington. The Nationals held a "Pups in the Park" day and allowed fans to bring their …

Game of the day: Braves 3, Nationals 1: Braves beat Strasburg, win 8th straight game

In his eighth major-league game, Atlanta's Evan Gattis smashes this high pitch for his fourth home run.

Reagan shooter is behaving normally on visits, files say

John Hinckley Jr., seen during a 2003 court visit, is now allowed out of St. Elizabeth's Hospital for stays with his mother. The stays are closely watched by the Secret Service.

Game of the day: Nationals 11, Braves 2: Zimmerman hits 3 HRs in win

Washington's Ryan Zimmerman circles the bases during the fifth inning after hitting one of his three home runs against Atlanta. "I hit the ball good," he said. "It's nice to start getting going."

Tigers 4, Nationals 3: Strasburg survives liner, not Tigers

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg pitched six innings against the Tigers but survived a scare in the fourth inning when he was hit on the hand by line drive.

Justices indicate section of Voting Rights Act may no longer be needed

People waited in line Wednesday outside the Supreme Court to listen to oral arguments in the Shelby County, Ala., v. Holder voting-rights case, which affects places with a history of discrimination, mainly in the Deep South.

Obama expected to revive populist message

President Obama, seen in last year's address, will deliver the State of the Union address today. It airs in Tucson at 7 p.m.

Super Bowl XLVII pregame

Darryl Young, of New Orleans, performs outside the Superdome before the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Photos: Inaugural Ball

Vice President Joe Biden dances with Army Staff Sgt. Keesha Dentino as Jill Biden dances with Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Figueroa during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Wash…

Photos: Inaugural Ball

President Barack Obama greets first lady Michelle Obama as she arrives on stage during the Commander-In-Chief Inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Pres. Obama's second inauguration

President Barack Obama takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 as first lady Michelle Obama and his daughters Malia and Sasha look on. (AP Photo/E…

Pres. Obama's second inauguration

President Barack Obama greets his daughter Sasha and Malia as first lady Michelle Obama watches at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Panetta upbeat over progress made in Afghanistan as US preps to leave

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, escorted by U.S. Army Col. James Markert, takes part in a full-honors arrival ceremony Thursday on the Pentagon River Parade Field.

NFL cheerleaders, week 18

The Washington Redskins cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Landover, Md., Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

NFL cheerleaders, week 18

A Washington Redskins cheerleader preforms during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Landover, Md., Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Let's identify the mentally ill, not post guards

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, wants armed police officers to be posted in every American school. He noted that children in America are exposed daily to violence in video games, movies and music videos.

Rice pulls out of running for State post

Susan Rice

On Medicare, both sides see arguments working for them

The Romney campaign makes the argument that the president's cuts to Medicare over 10 years are going to pay for the Obama health overhaul.

Most battleground states see drop in joblessness

Mitt Romney and vice presidential running mate Paul Ryan campaign in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Obama regroups; Romney tacks to center

Mitt Romney made a foreign policy speech at Virginia Military Institute on Monday. Romney appeared to move toward center on several issues.

NFL cheerleaders, Week 5

The Washington Redskins cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Washington Redskins 24 - 17. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

NFL cheerleaders, Week 5

The Washington Redskins cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

NFL cheerleaders, Week 5

The Washington Redskins cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

NFL cheerleaders, Week 5

The Washington Redskins cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Washington Redskins 24 - 17. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)