Poor Defense Secretary Hagel. Hired and fired in just one term. I’m not surprised. When he got the job I warned that he was the wrong pick, because he didn’t have good relations with Congress to sell the president’s unpopular agenda on Capitol Hill, or the credibility necessary to sell …

ROME – Italian news reports say at least seven people have died in an explosion at a fireworks factory near Bari, on Italy’s Adriatic coast. The ANSA news agency said the explosion Friday destroyed the Bruscella factory in Modugno and that the death toll might rise once firefighters are able …

Russia Wednesday vetoed the Western-backed U.N. Security Council resolution that would have established a tribunal to prosecute those responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine last year. The foreign ministers of Netherlands, Australia, and Ukraine have been attending a meeting over the shooting down of the plane on …

ATLANTA – A former Georgia Tech student whom prosecutors called “one step removed from the bomb-throwers” was convicted Wednesday of plotting to aid a terrorist group by videotaping landmarks around Washington, D.C. U.S. District Judge Bill Duffey found Syed Haris Ahmed, 24, guilty of one count of conspiracy to provide …

This is a rush transcript of “Special Report With Bret Baier” from June 16, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) PRESIDENT OBAMA: I have deep concerns about the election. And I think that the world has big concerns about …

TEHRAN, Iran – More than 100 reformists, including the brother of former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, were arrested Saturday night, leading reformist Mohammad Ali Abtahi told Reuters. “They were taken from their homes last night,” former vice president Abtahi said. Authorities released the former president’s brother, Mohammad Reza Khatami, on …

GREENBELT, Md. – Nineteen alleged gang members have been indicted in Maryland on federal racketeering conspiracy charges. U.S. Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein announced the indictment on Thursday. He says the indictment alleges the gang members were members of the Latin Kings, a violent street gang, who have operated in …

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City police say one worker has died following a crane accident at the construction site of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A second worker was injured in the accident about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday near downtown Kansas City. Police spokesman Darin Snapp says the …

KAILUA, Hawaii – Jenn Boneza remembers when the white sandy beach near the boat ramp in her hometown was wide enough for people to build sand castles. “It really used to be a beautiful beach,” said the 35-year-old mother of two. “And now when you look at it, it’s gone.” …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Authorities say a man arrested in Colorado is suspected of raping 11 women in New Mexico and Texas over 15 years, and recently trying to kill a police officer. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Department in Colorado arrested 47-year-old Robert Howard Bruce of Pueblo on Oct. 6 after …