NEW YORK (AP) — Pat Conroy fans will finally get the real story about his father, the man who inspired the novel "The Great Santini."

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday denied Republican criticism that his White House was trying to cover up information about the deadly assault in Benghazi, Libya last year, as undeterred GOP lawmakers pressed ahead with their investigation.

NEW YORK (AP) — Barbara Walters said Monday that retirement from her epochal television career is near, but it's not happening right away.

By Silvia Aloisi and Sara Rossi MILAN (Reuters) - Italian prosecutors called on Monday for a six-year jail sentence and a lifetime ban on holding public office for centre-right leader and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is charged with abuse of office and paying for sex with a minor. The 76-year-old billionaire media tycoon and senator is accused of paying for sex with Karima El Mahroug, better known by her stage name "Ruby the Heartstealer", when she was under 18, during the now notorious "bunga bunga" parties at his villa at Arcore near Milan in 2010. ...

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retail sales unexpectedly rose in April, pointing to underlying strength in the economy and leading forecasters to bump up second-quarter growth estimates. The surprise gain in retail sales, which account for about 30 percent of consumer spending, was the latest sign of resilience in an economy that has been hit by belt-tightening in Washington as the government tries to cut its budget deficit. "It's more indication that our economy is growing. ...

MILAN (AP) — FIFA president Sepp Blatter was "appalled" when he learned of the racist chanting that caused AC Milan's match against Roma to be suspended.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The leader of an Islamic extremist group in Nigeria says his group has started kidnapping women and children as part of its bloody guerrilla campaign against the country's government, according to a video released Monday.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Greek government said Monday it will use emergency powers to prevent protesting teachers from disrupting university entrance exams this month. Civil servants' unions retaliated by calling a 24-hour strike for Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new U.S. strategy for the Arctic region has gotten a lukewarm response from a think tank that says the plan amounts to a "lengthy wish list" with few specifics.

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin has waived visa requirements for athletes, coaches and other staff attending international sporting events in Russia.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Obama administration on Monday filed a last-minute appeal to delay the sale of the morning-after contraceptive pill to girls of any age without a prescription.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A medical student who witnessed the shooting that wounded 19 people during a Mother's Day parade in New Orleans said Monday the gunman appeared to be firing in a controlled manner, but it wasn't clear if he was trying to hit specific people.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The sun has fired off a massive flare, the strongest solar eruption this year.

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — Authorities have released a prominent opposition politician in Sierra Leone who was accused of making statements that could undermine state security.

For even those most accustomed to the frenzy of celebrity, the Cannes Film Festival can be a disorienting experience.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday urged Britons to watch whether European Union reforms were successful before deciding whether to leave the multi-nation bloc, backing the position taken by Prime Minister David Cameron. "I think the UK's participation in the EU is an expression of its influence and its ... role in the world," Obama said during a news conference with Cameron, who was visiting the White House. Cameron is trying to unite his party on the issue after two cabinet ministers suggested they would vote to leave the EU if a referendum were held today. ...

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (AP) — Human rights groups are expressing concern about the fairness of legislative elections taking place later this month in Equatorial Guinea.

Irish drugmaker Elan Corp. PLC plans to pay $1 billion for the right to future royalties from four respiratory treatments being developed by Theravance Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline.

ROME (AP) — Venus Williams lost to Laura Robson 6-3, 6-2 in the wind at the Italian Open on Monday, ending prospects for a sister showdown in the second round.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative groups is "outrageous" and anyone involved needs to be "held fully accountable."