Gulf Arab Nations Recall Ambassadors From Syria, Expel Syrian Diplomats

Tue, Feb07, 2012

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, has been pressing for an end to attacks on peaceful protesters in Syria.

Why Bother With Caucuses?

Tue, Feb07, 2012

Contests in Iowa and Nevada have been plagued by embarrassing snafus. As Minnesota and Colorado head to their caucuses Tuesday, we look at why some states still bother with this primitive but uniquely American way of picking a president.

Before Dying In Inferno, Little Boys Were Struck

Tue, Feb07, 2012

Authorities now say it appears that before Charlie and Braden Powell died in a fire ignited by their father, they were struck with a hatchet. The horrific crime has gotten national attention.

As L.A. Probes Sex Abuse Charges, Staff Replaced At Elementary School

Tue, Feb07, 2012

Two teachers at Miramonte Elementary School have been arrested on charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of students. Officials say no other staffers at the school are under suspicion, but they want to allay the fears of students and parents.

Maldives' President Resigns As VP Sworn In

Tue, Feb07, 2012

The resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed marked a stunning fall for the man who defeated the nation's longtime ruler in the Maldives' first multiparty election. He stepped down following weeks of public protests over his controversial order to arrest a senior judge.

While Gunfire Echoes Inside Syria, A Cry For Help From A City Under Attack

Tue, Feb07, 2012

"We are asking for [an] SOS," says blogger and citizen journalist Omar Shakir from inside Homs, as heavy machine gun fire echoes in the background. He and others in the city say government forces continue to kill people there.

Amid Debt Crisis, A Trail Of Broken 'Promises'

Tue, Feb07, 2012

Financial writer Philip Coggan traces the current global financial crisis to the 1970s, when the U.S. went off the gold standard. In his book Paper Promises, Coggan says governments will have to choose whether to keep their promises to their creditors or to their citizens.

China's Heir Apparent Rekindles Early Ties To Iowa

Tue, Feb07, 2012

China's Vice President Xi Jinping is coming to America. Next week, he'll meet with President Obama at the White House. He'll lead a trade delegation to California. And he'll also make a stop in Muscatine, Iowa. Xi visited the town (population 22,886) in the 1980s, as part of an agricultural mission.

Drought Ravages Farms Across Wide Swath Of Mexico

Tue, Feb07, 2012

Mexico is facing one of its worst droughts in decades. Government officials say more than half of Mexico's 31 states are affected, and in some areas farmers haven't been able to harvest crops for two years in a row. Mexico's federal government is pledging more than $2 billion to help.

UC Students Propose Alternative To Tuition Increases

Tue, Feb07, 2012

Tired of tuition increases within the cash-strapped University of California system, a group of students has suggested eliminating tuition entirely. Instead, they propose that graduates pay the system a percentage of their income over the subsequent 20 years.

Romney Ramps Up Efforts To Attract Social Conservatives

Tue, Feb07, 2012

At a rally in Centennial, Colo., GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney rolled out some new material: the rights given to people by God.

Alabama's Immigration Law May Get A Second Look

Tue, Feb07, 2012

When the Alabama Legislature begins its regular session Tuesday, lawmakers will consider changing the state's immigration law — considered the nation's toughest crackdown on illegal immigrants. Initially, the law got very little attention from the business community, but some now say the law could cost the state $11 billion.

Jews With Ties To Iran And Israel Feel Conflicted

Tue, Feb07, 2012

There are some 250,000 people of Persian descent living in Israel, and they maintain strong ties with their homeland. These Iranian Jews are conflicted as tensions between the two counties escalate.

United Opposition A Challenge To Venezuela's Chavez

Tue, Feb07, 2012

Opposition leaders have coalesced into a united and focused movement that is preparing to choose one candidate to run against the president, posing the strongest electoral challenge to Hugo Chavez's populist rule. Chavez still leads his nearest rival, but the gap is nothing like in years past.

The Mood Shifts For Russia's Putin In His Hometown

Wed, Feb01, 2012

In Russia, anger and frustration are growing over the country's political system and its two leaders, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev — including in their hometown, St. Petersburg. In particular, many are critical of Putin's attempt to reclaim the presidency.