NEW YORK (AP) - The latest numbers show that flu surpassed an "epidemic" threshold last week, based on deaths from pneumonia and influenza in 122 U.S. cities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu is now widespread in all but three states as the season came early this year. But the number of hard-hit areas declined. It's still not too late to get a flu shot.
    
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Cold and California don't often go together but forecasters say residents across the state could be in for several nights of very unseasonable freezing temperatures. Morning temps fell into the 20s and 30s in many areas, and much lower in the mountains.
    
BEIJING (AP) - Air pollution levels in China's notoriously dirty capital have spiked to dangerous levels today. Cloudy skies blocked out visibility and warnings are out for people to remain indoors in Beijing. There are some reports of off the scale pollution readings.
    
PARIS (AP) - The French Defense Ministry says a French military agent held hostage in Somalia has been killed during a French commando raid. The ministry says 17 Islamists and two French commandos also died in the fighting. The agent had been kidnapped in 2009.
    
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A published report says an upcoming interview of Lance Armstrong by Oprah Winfrey includes an admission that the disgraced cyclist used performance enhancing drugs throughout his career. USA Today reports the interview will be taped Monday and broadcast Thursday