Record number back UN vote against death penalty
A record 110 countries on Monday backed a resolution voted every two years at a UN General Assembly committee calling for the abolition of the death penalty.
Obama set to dive into South China Sea turmoil
US President Barack Obama is set to dive into the tumultuous diplomatic waters of the South China Sea on Tuesday at a summit dominated by rival claims to the strategically vital area.
San Francisco to vote on public nudity ban
San Francisco lawmakers vote Tuesday on a proposal to outlaw most public nudity, despite protests in the famously free and easy West Coast city.
Victims of Hurricane Sandy forgotten in Haiti
Hurricane Sandy, the deadly storm that slammed into New York and New Jersey in October, tore through the Caribbean long before reaching America. In Haiti, many still await help.
Vandals steal ancient rock carvings in California
Vandals have stolen at least four ancient rock carvings, apparently using cement-cutting circular saws to slice them out of a valuable archeological site in California.
Justin Bieber dominates American Music Awards
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber had a big night at the American Music Awards, taking three prizes including the top honor, favorite artist of the year.
Benghazi row in Washington narrows on edited memo
The row over the assault on the US mission in Libya has narrowed to focus on how and why the CIA's determination that it was a terror attack was left out of a public "talking points" memo.
'Twilight' takes huge bite out of weekend movie sales
The final chapter of the blockbuster "Twilight" vampire film franchise earned some $138 million in its debut, taking a huge bite out of weekend movie ticket sales.
World Bank fears devastating 4.0 degree warming
The World Bank warned Sunday that global temperatures could rise by four degrees this century without immediate action, with potentially devastating consequences for coastal cities and the poor.
Hundreds of NY homes to be razed after Sandy
Hundreds of New York City homes deemed to be safety hazards after superstorm Sandy will be razed in a vast operation the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg describes as "unprecedented."
Petraeus says knew from start Benghazi was terrorism
Former CIA chief David Petraeus told lawmakers Friday he knew from the outset that a deadly attack on a US mission in Libya was the work of terrorists, in his first outing since his resignation.
Obama reiterates US support for Israel
US President Barack Obama on Friday reiterated US support for Israel's right to defend itself during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the conflict in Gaza.
Obama eyes deeper reform on historic Myanmar visit
US President Barack Obama will endow Myanmar's startling reform drive with his newly replenished political prestige Monday, as he makes history in a short, but hugely symbolic, visit to the country.
Musicians blast bill to trim Pandora royalties
A group of 125 leading musicians is calling on the US Congress to kill a bill backed by online broadcaster Pandora that would slash royalties on Internet radio.
US urges Egypt, Turkey, Europeans to press Hamas
The United States called Thursday on Egypt, Turkey and European powers to press Hamas to end bloodshed in Gaza, putting the onus on the Islamist movement to end rocket attacks on Israel.
US pushing 'jobs diplomacy' after costly wars: Clinton
The United States will push its economic interests more aggressively to preserve its global leadership after being tied down by two wars in the past decade, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday.
Charlie Chaplin hat and cane to go under hammer
Charlie Chaplin's iconic bowler hat and cane are to go under the hammer in Los Angeles this weekend, as part of an auction which also includes a John Lennon nude drawing of himself and Yoko Ono.
US sees dramatic rise in diabetes rates: study
The United States saw a dramatic rise in the number of adults suffering from diabetes between 1995 and 2010, according to official statistics.
Panetta to tout US shift to Asia at ASEAN defence talks
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will outline Washington's strategic shift to the Pacific and a tentative rapprochement with Myanmar.
US lawmakers see footage of Benghazi attack
US senators got their first look Thursday at dramatic video footage of the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya as they probed the government's response to the assault.