ATLANTA – Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is backing a historic deal aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program, calling it “a major step in the right direction.” Carter told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he’s confident the agreement allows any violations by Iran to be detected. Carter says the …

ANTIOCH, Calif. – A Northern California woman is offering a sweet deal on her 1906 Craftsman home in Jackson. She’s trading it for a great dessert. The Contra Costa Times reports (http://bayareane.ws/1Kilwqm ) that Erin Allard is hosting a dessert contest with the 2,267-square-foot century-old home as the grand prize. …

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The latest on the search for the two Florida teens who went missing while on a fishing trip off Florida’s Atlantic coast: 9:45 a.m. The Coast Guard says its search for two missing teenage boaters will press forward at least into Friday. Chief Petty Officer …

KATHMANDU, Nepal – An association of trekking agencies in Nepal on Friday criticized an assessment report that found trails around Mount Annapurna safe for hikers following April’s devastating earthquake. Kit Miyamoto of the California-based engineering firm Miyamoto International said on Thursday that the only hazards were found at three spots …

BEIJING – A man attempted to set a fire on board a Chinese flight early Sunday, but was restrained by passengers and crew members and taken into custody, the aviation authority said. It was the latest in a rash of dangerous incidents aboard Chinese flights, including passengers opening emergency exits …

BEIJING – The North Korean ambassador to China says that his country has no interest in an Iran-style nuclear disarmament deal because North Korea is a “nuclear weapons state.” Ji Jae Ryong told a news conference Tuesday that the Iranian nuclear deal reached earlier this month was an achievement made …

BOGOTA, Colombia – A strong earthquake shook a sparsely populated region along the border between Colombia and Panama on Tuesday evening. There were no early reports of damage or injuries. The U.S. Geological Service said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, while Colombia’s seismological institute put it at …

LONDON – Jamey Keaten, a reporter in the Paris office of The Associated Press, has been named chief correspondent for Switzerland. Keaten, 46, has been based in Paris since joining the AP in 2001, and has specialized in coverage of diplomacy, defense and security matters. The appointment was announced Thursday …

Which Donald J. Trump will show up at Thursday night’s Republican debate in Cleveland? There’s the Trump who calls the other GOP candidates “clowns” and responds to criticism with schoolyard insults. Then there’s the Trump who last week tweeted about the coming debate: “it is certainly my intention to be …

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cypriot officials say a dig near a wartime memorial on Nicosia’s outskirts may have located a Greek military transport aircraft that was brought down by friendly fire in the opening days of Turkey’s invasion of the island 41 years ago. Thursday’s announcement is raising hopes that the …