National Lifestyle

For most of her life, Claudia Stearns dreaded Thanksgiving. As a person who struggled with obesity since childhood, Stearns hated the annual turmoil of obsessing about what she ate — and the guilt of overindulging on a holiday built around food.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — After having maintained her innocence for nearly five years, pop star Shakira struck a last-minute deal on the opening day of her tax fraud trial in Barcelona to avoid the risk of going to prison.

Susan Kiyo Ito always knew she was adopted, but uncovering her birth family became a decadeslong process marked by moments of warm connection and icy divides — raw stories compiled into a memoir that’s alternately touching and heartbreaking.

NEW YORK (AP) — Staring down a hefty holiday gift list? There's something for everybody out there. Artisan gifts can be a hit. Head to Etsy.com to tap into the global handmade marketplace's trends for the season.

Carriers like the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and United Parcel Service have capacity to meet projected demand this holiday season, which is cheery news for shippers and shoppers alike.

NEW YORK (AP) — When families thank Marlo Thomas for the medical treatment they received at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she kindly corrects them.

The best holiday gifts for gardeners are the ones that keep their minds in the dirt, even during the off-season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Colman Domingo has a commanding physical presence, an expressive face and soulful eyes. But his most limber and powerful tool is his voice.

Author Matt Coyle has put San Diego private eye Rick Cahill through a lot in his fine series of crime novels. Rick has accumulated sinister enemies on both sides of the law. He’s been shot and beaten so many times that his body is laced with scars.

NEW YORK (AP) — A good book packs power. A good book thoughtfully chosen as a gift can add a layer of joy. The holidays are a great time to track down just the right coffee table reads for loved ones. There's a wide array this time of year.