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CARACAS, Venezuela – A labor leader who led a failed oil strike to oust President Hugo Chavez has escaped from prison, prompting the government to tighten security to prevent one of Venezuela‘s most prominent prisoners from fleeing the country. Carlos Ortega, who was serving a 16-year sentence for civil rebellion, …

SOFIA, Bulgaria – A 6-inch-long gold and platinum dagger believed to be 5,000 years old has been unearthed in central Bulgaria, the archaeologist leading the excavations said Monday. Archaeologist Martin Hristov said his team discovered more than 500 tiny golden rings that appeared to be pieces of ancient jewelry. Bozhidar …

WASHINGTON – Former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost said his wife died Thursday after a four-year battle with breast cancer. Retired Major General Kathryn George Frost of Latta, South Carolina, was 57. A statement said Mrs. Frost, when she retired in April of 2005, was the senior woman on active duty …

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A section of the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge was brought down early Tuesday, a planned demolition set in motion by a longtime commuter who won a contest for the honor. A few minutes after midnight, Dan Ruefly pushed a ceremonial plunger to begin the countdown to destroy …

CAMARILLO, Calif. – U.S. retail gas prices dropped 15 cents a gallon in the past two weeks, the sharpest decline in nearly a year, according to a survey released Sunday. The national average for self-serve regular stood at $2.87, down from just under $3.03, according to the Lundberg Survey of …

JERUSALEM – A brief history of the Lebanese-Israeli conflict: Because Israel and Lebanon have never signed a peace accord, the countries remain officially in a state of war that has existed since 1948 when Lebanon joined other Arab nations against the newly formed Jewish state. The two countries have been …

PASADENA, Calif. – Slammed by critics and slighted in the Emmy nominations, “Desperate Housewives” endured a rocky second season. But better times are coming to Wisteria Lane, ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson said Tuesday. Series creator Marc Cherry will be the sole executive producer following the departure of Tom Spezialy, …

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration, called to account by Congress in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling blocking military tribunals, said Tuesday all detainees at Guantanamo Bay and in U.S. military custody everywhere are entitled to protections under the Geneva Conventions. White House spokesman Tony Snow said the policy, …

LOS ANGELES – Some of the country’s most notorious street gangs have gotten Web-savvy, showcasing illegal exploits, making threats, and honoring killed and jailed members on digital turf. Crips, Bloods, MS-13, 18th Street and others have staked claims on various corners of cyberspace. “Web bangers” are posting potentially incriminating photos …

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli artillery killed a Palestinian teenager in the Gaza Strip on Monday, doctors said. The Israeli army said artillery was fired against militants launching rockets toward Israel. The artillery fire in the northern town of Beit Hanoun killed the Palestinian boy, 17, by hitting his …