Associated Press

Read the latest stories and analysis from Associated Press.

This photo provided by Hanser's Automotive shows pieces of two trailers that went into the Clarks Fork River near Belfry, Mont. on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 spilling an estimated 7,000 gallons of magnesium chloride, a chemical used as road salt. (AP Photo/Hanser's Automotive)

Chemical spill into Montana river spurs water watch

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

On a large television screen in front of Pyongyang's railway station, a North Korean state television broadcaster announces the news that North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. North Korea conducted a nuclear test at an underground site in the remote northeast Tuesday, taking an important step toward its goal of building a bomb small enough to be fitted on a missile that could reach United States. The TV screen text reads: "Korean Central News Agency reports," and "The third underground nuclear test successfully conducted."(AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon)

North Korea brandishing nukes to get US to talk peace

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2103 file photo, former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Obama's choice for defense secretary, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, pushed ahead Monday with plans for a vote on Hagel's nomination to be defense secretary despite Republican demands for more financial information from him. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Senate panel approves Pentagon nominee Chuck Hagel

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

Police arrest man accused of mass stabbing on Guam

Police arrest man accused of mass stabbing on Guam

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

A trampoline rests on top of a damaged American Red Cross disaster relief truck outside of the Hattiesburg American Red Cross center which was completely destroyed by an apparent tornado that moved through Hattiesburg, Miss., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/The Hattiesburg American, Bryant Hawkins)

People search for sentimental items after twister

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
Washington winger Troy Brouwer scored the winning goal in overtime on Tuesday to lead the Capitals past Florida 6-5.

Big rally leads to big win for Capitals

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

Pat Sullivan/AP
Washington reliever Drew Storen had a 2.37 ERA last season but allowed four runs in the ninth in the deciding game of the NLDS.

Nationals hoping to bounce back as spring training begins

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

Thai military kills 19 militants who attacked base

Thai military kills 19 militants who attacked base

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

FILE - This combination of Associated Press file photos shows, left, a sign outside the Comcast Center in Philadelphia in July 2010 and right, the entrance to the Universal Studios theme park in Los Angeles, on Dec. 3, 2009. Comcast said on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, that it's buying General Electric's 49 percent stake in NBCUniversal joint venture for $16.7 billion. Comcast Corp. had bought a majority stake in the television and movie company in 2011. It had planned to take a larger stake in it over time. (AP Photo)

Cable TV company has gone from Tupelo to 30 Rock

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

Comcast to buy GE’s 49 pct stake in NBCUniversal

Comcast to buy GE’s 49 pct stake in NBCUniversal

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

A board on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shows the closing number for the Dow Jones industrial average, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. The Dow stock market index closed above 14,000 for the first time since before the financial crisis rocked the world economy. It's gained 6.9 percent this year. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Dow closes at highest of the year, nearing record

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am

President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, gestures as he gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Analysis: Obama isn’t in the mood for compromise

Associated Press · February 12, 2013 5:00 am