Investors had anxiously awaited clarification on the Fed's plans for its stimulus program, so a drop of only 1 percent on Wall Street could be seen as a communications success for Bernanke.
FBI uses drones on US soil: Senators want assurances on privacy (+video)
7:38 pm ET - FBI Director Robert Mueller told the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that the FBI is using drones to conduct secret surveillance on US citizens. Many lawmakers seemed surprised.
USA Update Julian Assange hints WikiLeaks might publish next Edward Snowden revelations
7:06 pm ET - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Wednesday his organization is helping Edward Snowden seek asylum in Iceland. Assange also hinted that he might publish Snowden's next revelations.
Obama pushes big cut in nuclear weapons. Is that a good idea? (+video)
3:48 pm ET - In Berlin, President Obama calls for cutting US deployed nuclear weapons by one-third and urges NATO allies to pursue 'the security of a world without nuclear weapons.'
Obamacare behind schedule as Oct. 1 rollout nears
5:26 pm ET - Two government reports cite delays in setting up health-insurance exchanges as the Oct. 1 deadline looms.The public is still more negative than positive about reform, but promotion is just starting.
Life is good for Germany's economy. But is it good for Germans? (+video)
4:36 pm ET - While the German economy is being held up as the model for ailing Europe to follow, some Germans say that the benefits of the boom aren't reaching them.
USA Update Aaron Hernandez home searched: Do NFL players have a problem with the law? (+video)
2:44 pm ET - Police spent several hours Tuesday night at the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. Although there's a public perception about NFL players having run-ins with the law, this impression may not be correct.
Terrorism & Security Bagram Air Base attack: Four US soldiers killed as US seeks talks with Taliban
8:09 am ET - Bagram Air Base attack: The Taliban killed four US soldiers overnight, as the US sought talks with the militant group. The Bagram Air Base attack infuriated Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Al Qaeda-allied suicide team blasts UN compound in Mogadishu
2:03 pm ET - Al Shabab fighters launch one of worst attacks since being largely driven out of the Somali capitol two years ago. 'We knew it was dangerous here,' says UN spokesman in country.
Immigration reform will cut deficit, but will that sway skeptics?
1:19 pm ET - As Senate leaders troll for votes for immigration reform, a finding by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that the bill would cut federal deficits could help build momentum.
Brazil protests: a love for soccer, but not the pricetag (+video)
12:57 pm ET - New soccer stadiums dotting Brazil have become iconic of the frustration on the streets: The government is investing billions in sports but not schools or hospitals.
In last Gomez-Markey debate, distinct styles but fuzzy policy differences (+video)
9:20 am ET - Policy differences were nuanced between Democrat Ed Markey and the GOP's Gabriel Gomez in Tuesday's debate, the last before the US Senate election in Massachusetts. But the candidates' styles – policy master vs. fresh-faced outsider – could not be more distinct.
Latest blow to Egypt's tourism: Luxor's governor
11:24 am ET - President Morsi has enraged residents in Luxor, one of Egypt's main tourism destinations, by appointing as governor a former member of Al Gamaa al-Islamiyya.
Editors' picks:
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Focus China puts up a green wall to US trash
US recyclers are nervous about losing their largest market after China began enforcing new environmental laws this year.
- Slavery: US gives bad marks to China and Russia in its annual report
- George Zimmerman trial: Second Amendment bubbles beneath jury selection (+video)
- Why do we still put refugees in tents? IKEA has a new idea.
- SEAL Team 6 could include women by 2016 under Pentagon plan
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