BOISE, Idaho – The jumpers leaping from the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls free-fall for three seconds before releasing their parachutes during a 486-foot descent. The bridge is the only manmade location in the United States where so-called BASE jumpers — short for the buildings, antennae, spans and earth from …

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that the nation’s death row inmates can file last-minute challenges to lethal injection after they’ve exhausted their regular appeals. The court’s ruling leaves unanswered, however, broader questions about the chemicals used in lethal injections around the country and whether they cause excruciating …

GWANGJU, South Korea – Scores of South Koreans chanted “We are one!” as a North Korean delegation arrived Wednesday to celebrate the anniversary of a 2000 summit that moved the rivals toward reconciliation. The South Koreans, who also waved flags depicting a unified peninsula, greeted the delegation of 148 North …

TOKYO – A U.S. sailor was arrested late Wednesday for allegedly groping a high school girl near Tokyo, Japanese police said Thursday. Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Joseph Valerie, 47, stationed in Yokosuka, southwest of Tokyo, was arrested on the spot on suspicion of touching the 15-year-old high school girl’s …

DORTMUND, Germany – Switzerland and Ukraine took a step closer to reaching the second round of the World Cup on Monday. Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta scored a goal each to lead Switzerland to a 2-0 win over Togo, while star striker Andriy Shevchenko got his first World Cup goal …

COLOGNE, Germany – German and British police warned that the World Cup‘s off-the-field calm could be tested Tuesday as both Germany and England play key games. Even though England and Germany have advanced to the next round, authorities have expressed concerns over soccer hooligans from both countries. About 50,000 England …

DUBLIN, Ireland – Charles Haughey, who served four terms as Ireland’s prime minister in a career overshadowed by ethical questions, died Tuesday following a long battle with cancer, his family said. He was 80. Haughey died at his opulent mansion north of Dublin with his wife, Maureen, and their four …

NEW YORK – NBC will use the YouTube video-sharing site to promote its fall television lineup in a strategic partnership that further underscores the Internet’s growing role in generating buzz around traditional media shows. Even with the deal, announced Tuesday, YouTube visitors are not likely to find legal clips of …

WASHINGTON – President Bush declared Friday that the federal government can only seize private property for a public use such as a hospital or road. The president signed an executive order in response to a Supreme Court decision granting local governments broad power to bulldoze people’s homes to make way …

NEW YORK – Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is developing a music and video device to compete with Apple’s (AAPL) iPod and creating its own music service to rival Apple’s iTunes, sources familiar with the plans said on Friday. Robbie Bach, a rising star at Microsoft who headed development of the Xbox …