Obama shift seeks to defuse birth-control fight
- President Barack Obama, in an abrupt policy shift aimed at quelling an election-year firestorm, announced on Friday that religious employers would not be required to offer free birth control to workers and the onus would instead be put on insurers. | Video
Anger in Greece as parliament to vote on bailout
ATHENS - Greek lawmakers will vote this weekend on a controversial austerity bill that Athens needs to avoid a messy default but which is fuelling a domestic political and social crisis that has brought thousands of Greeks out on the streets in protest. | Video
As Syria bleeds, neighbors brace for refugees
BEKAA VALLEY, Lebanon - Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan have registered around 20,000 Syrian refugees, but with thousands more not registered and the pace of flight increasing, Syria's neighbors are bracing for a refugee crisis of epic proportions. Full Article
Germany in two minds over leadership role
MUNICH - Germany looks increasingly confident in the role of economic superpower as it pushes its model of fiscal discipline on the EU, but matching its new-found dominance with bolder leadership in foreign and security policy is another matter. Full Article
Tesla unveils "falcon-winged" electric SUV
HAWTHORNE, California - Tesla Motors Inc on Thursday showed off a prototype of its Model X, a battery-powered SUV that represents the company's bet that consumers will buy a range of electric vehicles spun from a common platform. Full Article
The business and politics of handguns
In the latest installment of The Exchange, Rob Cox talks to Paul Barrett about his new book "Glock: The Rise of America's Gun" and the growing firepower of the gun lobby during this election season. Video
South Korea needs to step on economic gas
SEOUL - South Korea cannot afford to keep its economic policy on auto pilot and will need more than just a weak currency to avert a possible recession as exports slide and domestic demand crumbles. Full Article
Expiring tax breaks: Use them while they're hot
Every year, dozens of little bits of the tax code fall by the wayside or, more typically, get ritually renewed by Congress. Learn which ones will soon expire, and which will survive. Full Article
Northern Lights shine above earth
Feb. 10 - An International Space Station camera captures images of the Northern Lights above earth. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
Latest Headlines
Rise of the machines
Futurists and fantasists have been dreaming about the rise of intelligent machines for centuries. Now it is actually starting to happen. I’m not afraid our smart machines will try to exterminate us, but I do worry that the second economy may be a jobless one. Full Article
The university as job laboratory
As high-paying jobs have flowed overseas, universities are increasingly seen as economic engines as well as sources of intellectual activity. One prestigious state university is building an incubator for academic entrepreneurs that offers a lifeline to the middle class. Commentary
Facebook's IPO hangover
Coming up any day now, there’s going to be one helluva party at Facebook. Champagne, confetti, speechifying, really loud music — you name the hoopla. Just beware the day after. Actually, beware the year after and the year after that. Commentary
The truth about Israel’s rumored strike on Iran
An attack on Iran by Israel probably won't happen. At least not anytime soon. So why are the Israelis telegraphing that an attack could come before very long? Commentary
The great race for jobs
The current shortage of jobs in most rich countries is the latest leg of a long race between technological forces that lead to job destruction and socio-economic forces which provide new kinds of employment. Commentary
The Obama birth control compromise
President Obama announced a compromise on contraception coverage after igniting a firestorm of criticism from Catholic leaders and Republicans. We decode the controversy over the rule that initially required all employers -- including religious institutions -- to cover the cost of birth control. Video
Romney tells conservatives he's one of them
WASHINGTON - Republican Mitt Romney urged conservatives on Friday to overcome their doubts about him and help him win the party's presidential nomination, then defeat Democratic President Barack Obama in November. | Video















