Secretary of State John Kerry will return to the Mideast this week to press peace talks between Syrian rebels and President Assad's regime, amid increasing signs the new U.S. strategy to halt the war is being undermined by Russia.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday affirmed the authority of federal regulators to try to speed local government decisions on proposals to build or expand cell phone towers.

The Air Force said Monday that its test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, which had already been postponed from April, is now scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

More than 85,000 veterans were treated last year and 4,000 sought disability benefits. Sexual assault or repeated sexual harassment can trigger a variety of health problems including depression, experts say. 

Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday vowed that the Obama administration will spare no expense or effort to protect U.S. diplomats serving overseas. 

A proposed California state ballot measure would require doctors to be randomly subjected to drug and alcohol testing, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.

Yemeni security officials say a suspected US drone strike killed four al-Qaida militants in the country's south.

The embarrassing arrest of a suspected CIA officer in Moscow is the latest reminder that the U.S. and Russia are still engaged in an espionage battle with secret tactics, spying devices and specialized training.

Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.S. wants to see Bangladesh move forward on improving labor standards after a building collapse that killed hundreds of garment workers.

Solid hiring helped push down unemployment rates in 40 U.S. states last month, the most since November. The declines show job markets are improving in most areas of the country.

An Army general who served as a top official on U.S. joint military staffs in Afghanistan and at the Pentagon is the choice to command U.S. troops in South Korea.

A House chairman has issued a subpoena to compel the review board that investigated last year's attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya to answer questions about its findings in closed session.

Congress' nonpartisan budget analyst says President Barack Obama's budget would trim projected federal deficits by $1.1 trillion over the coming decade.

The Obama administration is criticizing Russia's decision to provide Syria with anti-ship missiles, which it says will only worsen the civil war.

Political scandals cause collateral damage and Republicans are hoping the furor over federal tax enforcers singling out conservative groups will snag some really big game — President Barack Obama's health care law.

The massive scandal involving the IRS' targeting of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status was not about politics. That's according to Steven Miller, who was forced out this week as the agency's acting chief. 

Democrats and Republicans on a House panel say the IRS should face more consequences for giving tougher treatment to conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.

Democratic New York City Assemblyman Vito Lopez announced on Friday that he will resign from his post -- amid a sexual harassment scandal -- and run for New York City council.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is planning a visit on Friday afternoon to the community of Granbury, which was devastated by a tornado this week with winds of up to 200 miles an hour.

A second top Internal Revenue Service official has announced plans to leave the agency amid the ongoing controversy over the targeting of tea party groups.