Rising number of states seeing one-party rule

Divided government still rules in the nation's capital after last week's Tuesday's vote, but unity is increasingly the name of the game in cities such as Annapolis, Topeka, Concord and Little Rock.

Republicans: Sooner or later, Petraeus must answer congressional questions on Benghazi

One day after President Obama accepted the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus, Republicans say the general is still expected to answer congressional questions about the Obama administration's handling of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in Libya that claimed the lives of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Sick, frail struggle most in Superstorm Sandy's aftermath

Some of society's most vulnerable people — the elderly, the disabled and the chronically ill — have been pushed to the brink in the powerless, flood-ravaged neighborhoods struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy.

Vatican digs in after gay marriage advances

The Vatican is digging in after gay marriage initiatives scored big wins this week in Maine, two other states and Europe, vowing to never stop insisting that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

The negotiation begins: Obama, Boehner dig in on taxes

After sending signals this week that compromise was possible, both Barack Obama and John Boehner on Saturday reiterated their opposing positions on Saturday, with the president insisting on higher taxes on the wealthy and the Republican House speaker calling for tax code reform and overall lower tax rates.

BBC chief quits after saying TV report was wrong

George Entwistle, the director general of the BBC, resigned on Saturday night over a TV program the network had aired that wrongly implicated a British politician in a child sex-abuse scandal.

Pentagon releases timeline of Benghazi attack

The Pentagon on Friday released a timeline of its response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, pushing back arguments that the Defense Department did not move fast enough to thwart the assault.

Nationals announce 2013 season will be Davey Johnson's last as manager

In the weeks since the Washington Nationals' season ended unceremoniously, Davey Johnson hasn't spent too much time reliving how it all unraveled. There was too much for him to do around his Florida home. Too many things to fix. A fishing tournament to win. A charity golf tournament to help plan.

Boehner faces backlash on immigration overture

House Speaker John A. Boehner's overture to Democrats and President Obama on immigration reform is already drawing fire from within the GOP, where lawmakers say he's writing checks that his fellow House Republicans won't cash for him.

Suicide blasts in Syria kill at least 20 troops

Twin suicide bombings shook a southern Syrian city on Saturday, killing at least 20 regime troops, an activist group said.

Fearing 'cliff,' investors finish brutal week

Wall Street is peering over the "fiscal cliff" and feeling vertigo.

Changing times: Politicians' tears more common now

It seems out of place: The president of the United States breaking down in tears as he thanked campaign workers for their tireless work for his re-election. But Barack Obama isn't the only world leader unashamed to be seen crying in public — or simply unable to avoid it.

Kyrgyzstan risks regional water fight, as Russia waits in the wings

A new fight over water is looming between Kyrgyzstan and its energy-rich Central Asian neighbors — and analysts say the likely winner could be Russia.

Gas rationing begins in N.Y. as power outages abate

A new gasoline rationing plan that lets motorists fill up every other day went into effect in New York on Friday morning, as utility crews made some progress erasing outages that put thousands of homes and businesses in the dark in a region still reeling from Superstorm Sandy.

Senators mull tougher Iran sanctions

Lawmakers are working on a set of new and unprecedented sanctions against Iran that could prevent the Islamic republic from doing business with most of the world until it agrees to international constraints on its nuclear program, officials say.

Navy SEALs punished for secrets breach

Seven members of the secretive Navy SEAL Team 6, including one involved in the mission to get Osama bin Laden, have been punished for disclosing classified information, senior Navy officials said Thursday.

Commentary

DIAZ: A silver lining for social conservatives

From the social conservative point of view, the election results were bad. Really bad. That does not mean bad for social conservatives, though. It means bad for the country.

INHOFE: America still honors her heroes

Honor Flights bring veterans from around the country to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials of the wars in which they fought. The current focus is on World War II veterans and any veteran who has a terminal illness.

KNIGHT: Why the single-issue campaign failed

"It's the economy, stupid."

EDITORIAL: TSA grabs union contract

When Congress decided to take over airport security, it was never about safety. That became clear on Friday when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners formally agreed to a contract that will add 45,000 dues-paying members to the ranks of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

EDITORIAL: Florida's tainted vote

Florida just can't seem to count votes properly. After the embarrassing "hanging chad" debacle of the 2000 presidential election, similar games are now being played in the contest between Republican Rep. Allen West and Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy over the 18th Congressional District seat.