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The oldest known sample of the smallpox-causing variola virus has been found within the DNA of a 17th-century child mummy. The mummy was found in a crypt beneath a Lithuanian church, according to a new study in the journal Current Biology. The finding shortens the timeline for how long smallpox may have afflicted humans.

Papa really is a Rolling Stone.

Two juveniles face charges of aggravated arson in connection with a deadly Tennessee wildfire that began in late November and spread to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, according to Mark Gwyn, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The great student of presidential transitions, the late Richard E. Neustadt, argued that it is in the nature of transitions that the future administration is rarely at its best. "Transitions offer opportunities to extract a whole governmental generation's lore at once. But those who need it most and could best use it, the incomers, rarely think of such things. Busyness and self-importance bar the way and also, often, deep suspicion."

It's the scenario Obamacare-hating Republicans have dreamed about: Complete control of Washington.

There's a reason why people show up early to ballgames, and it's not just to get the best parking spaces. Tailgate parties are essential to the game day experience. They give fans the opportunity to eat, socialize and energize before they head into the stadium to watch their team play.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook the ocean floor about 100 miles off the northern California coast Thursday morning, the US Geological Survey said.

Egypt has brought into effect an amended law that toughens penalties on those who perform female genital mutilation, a practice that reportedly affects over 90% of Egyptian women, the health ministry announced.

Facebook's 2016 "Year in Review" reveals a population flitting, as always, between topics of great import -- elections, social movements -- and completely random diversions (Remember Pokemon Go? It seems like ages have passed).

Thousands of geese have died after landing in a dangerous Montana chemical pit.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, his former campaign manager told reporters Wednesday.

The owners of a Minnesota video production company have filed a lawsuit, saying they shouldn't be forced to shoot same-sex weddings.

The owners of beloved DC bookstore located on the same block as the "pizzagate" pizza restaurant recounted their experience Thursday when a viral conspiracy theory drew a man to fire a gun on their street.

It's the time of year when social media is inundated with posts about the importance of being thankful for family, friends and well-being because there are starving children in Africa who wish they had a quarter of your good fortune.

Every year, I tell myself the same thing: Next year will be different.

It's a cool, sunny morning when the busload of tourists descends onto Havana's John Lennon Park. That's Aleeda Rodriguez Pedrasa's cue.

A boy with autism needed a replacement for his beloved sippy cup -- instead he got a thousand.