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Obamacare to slash premiums in New York. Was Obama right all along?

New York released the premiums that its health-insurance exchange will offer under Obamacare, and savings could be more than 50 percent. But New York might be an unusual case.
Olympics boycott? Speaker Boehner rejects Sen. Graham's Sochi-for-Snowden proposal

Olympics boycott: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is reacting to the possibility that Russia gives temporary asylum to Edward Snowden. Speaker of the House John Boehner rejects the Olympics boycott idea.
Tsarnaev on Rolling Stone cover: Rock-star treatment or good journalism? (+video)

The Aug. 1 Rolling Stone cover has been harshly criticized for featuring what many are calling a glamorous photo of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bombing suspect.
Zimmerman verdict protests: Los Angeles police get 'A-plus'

The Los Angeles Police Department has had its share of troubles. But its handling of the George Zimmerman verdict protests shows that it has learned important lessons.
John Kerry nudges Middle East peace process: Could he be getting somewhere?

Secretary of State John Kerry, in his sixth trip to the Middle East this year, is meeting with Arab League leaders who are behind a renewed version of a 2002 Arab peace initiative with Israel.
Federal Reserve chief tells Congress: You're making weak economy worse

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells Congress that its tax hikes and spending cuts are creating 'strong headwinds' for economic recovery and could be costing 750,000 new jobs.
Heat wave: Northeast faces a few more scorchers. Then, relief!

With the highest above-normal heat in the nation, New York opens more than 400 cooling centers. Some 100,000 Maryland residents may be without water for days. But cooler air is expected Friday.
Chauncey Billups back to Pistons: 'I'm coming to play'

Chauncey Billups helped Detroit win the 2004 NBA title. Now, Chauncey Billups is returning to the Motor City, trying to help the Pistons build a championship contender.
Liz Cheney run for Wyoming Senate seat: Is she a lock to win? (+video)

Liz Cheney, daughter of the former vice president, is launching a Senate candidacy. But Michael Enzi, a Republican, already occupies the seat she wants.
Focus Sexual assault in the military: Can special counsels for victims help?

After a wave of sexual assault cases in the military, the Air Force is using special lawyers in a venture that top Pentagon officials hope will transform the way the armed forces treat victims.
All-Star game: Rivera pitches a perfect inning, 3-0 final score

All-Star Game: Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect eighth inning in his final All-Star appearance, and the American League beat the National League 3-0.
Home Run Derby: Why winner won't compete in All-Stars

Home Run Derby: Yoenis Cespedes outslugged Bryce Harper to win the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday, becoming the first player left out of the annual All-Star game to take home the crown.
Liz Cheney, daughter of ex-VP Dick Cheney, will run for Senate (+video)

Liz Cheney announced Tuesday that she will run for the US Senate seat currently held by a three-term Republican senator. She kicked off her campaign with a six-minute YouTube video.
World Trade Center owners want $8.5 billion: Can they get it?

World Trade Center lawsuit: The owners of the World Trade Center are squaring off in court against the airlines whose planes were hijacked in the 9/11 attacks.
Zimmerman trial verdict: L.A. protesters struggle to stamp out violence (+video)

L.A. officials and leaders of the demonstrations against the not-guilty verdict in the Zimmerman trial were united Tuesday in warning the violence would undercut the protesters' desired message.
Along key stretch of US-Mexico border, more kids running drugs

The Tucson sector of the US-Mexico border has seen an alarming rise in the number of juveniles facing drug-smuggling charges. Teens are also carrying harder drugs into the US.
Why black voters are backing Anthony Weiner in N.Y. mayor race (+video)

Disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner is suddenly leading in New York's mayoral race, thanks largely to support from the city's black voters. One reason: He's speaking to their concerns.
Senate averts 'nuclear option,' but leaves deeper questions unanswered

After a rare, closed meeting senators agreed to confirm several controversial Obama nominees. The deal avoided a 'nuclear option' that would have changed Senate rules on filibusters.
Progress Watch Youth homicide rate hits 30-year low, but it's not good news for everyone

The homicide rate for individuals aged 10 to 24 was 7.5 per 100,000 young people in 2010, according to a new study. Overall however, declines in the rate have slowed since 2000.
Blagojevich sought 'political deal ... in the public interest,' appeal says

The disgraced former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is appealing his conviction on corruption charges, arguing the judge barred evidence that put his actions in context.