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Before 9/11: The tale of an Afghan 'lion'

Journalist Ed Giradet met the remarkable Ahmed Shah Massoud during the Afghan insurgency against the Red Army. Twenty years later, on the eve of 9/11, he tried to see him one last time.
House leader Eric Cantor blasts Obama's jobs bill (video)

President Obama's jobs proposal Thursday night was already meeting resistance from House majority leader Eric Cantor. And, he told DCDecoder that he likes Joe Biden's negotiating style more than Obama's.
Obama speech: Will his jobs plan work?

Obama speech outlined many ideas that are popular and have commanded bipartisan support in the past. But the words 'stimulus' and 'spending' are unpopular, notes at least one expert.
Battle for Afghanistan's Gambir Jungle: A race against daybreak

As night fell on Day 2 of Operation Hammer Down, a new plan to help the stricken 1st Platoon took shape. But when 3rd Platoon got the call, the Taliban were close on its tail.
Syrian revolutionaries request foreign intervention

A new coalition of Syrian revolutionary groups made a formal request for outside help Thursday, asking first for human rights monitors who could help deter attacks on civilians.
What Afghans think of the war: 'Why are you Americans here?'

Ten years ago, the US invaded Afghanistan to eliminate a terrorist haven and set up a stable government. But today, many Afghans don’t know why the US invaded, have never heard of 9/11, and are increasingly suspicious.
Obama jobs speech: 'Time to stop the political circus'

In his speech to a joint session of Congress, President Obama proposed a $447 billion "American Jobs Act" to help those 14 million Americans out of work. Can he convince Republicans to vote for it, and will it help his own tough re-election bid?
Packers and Saints get it rolling for the NFL. Will it be a super season?

The Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints launch the NFL's lucrative new season. But even as the TV money pours in, a challenge looms: how to keep fans in their seats – at stadiums.
Newly released audio shows the shock, confusion of September 11, 2001

As 10-year commemorations of 9/11 get under way, the public now has access to a number of previously unreleased audio recordings from the morning of September 11, 2001.
From fear of Islam to outreach: how 9/11 prompted interfaith efforts

In the decade since 9/11, the percentage of US congregations that participate in interfaith worship has doubled, a study says, and more mosques are engaging in outreach and dialogue.
GOP's Eric Cantor: Three ways we can work with Obama on jobs

Ahead of President Obama's jobs speech, House majority leader Eric Cantor sees places for potential compromise. But he hopes Obama won't try to dictate solutions to the GOP.
As Katia blows by the East Coast, Nate and Maria are brewing in tropics

Hurricane Katia is churning high surf and rip tides on the East Coast before racing across the Atlantic. But Nate is stewing in the Gulf of Mexico and Maria is skimming toward the Caribbean.
Obama's jobs speech: Why does he want to speak to Congress?

As he planned for his jobs speech, President Obama was determined to deliver it before a joint session of Congress. He's already spoken to four congressional joint sessions.
Deficit 'super committee' behind closed doors: Will it be too secretive?

The deficit super committee tasked with cutting $1.2 trillion from the budget over 10 years began its work Thursday. Critics say it needs to be more transparent and members need to stop fundraising.
Taking a page from Chile, Colombian students take to the streets over education costs

Students in Bogota say they are worried about privatization of education in Colombia and promise more unrest if the government pushes such legislation through.
Abuse at Vietnam's drug detention centers highlights regional problem

A report by Human Rights Watch accuses Vietnam of imprisoning hundreds of thousands of drug addicts throughout the past decade without due process and subjecting them to forced labor.
9/11 lessons not learned: three failed reforms

Most of the 9/11 commission's recommendations have been implemented, but three reforms, in particular, have failed to fully take shape since 2001.
Questions persist over Guatemala election funding ahead of Sunday vote

Guatemalan political parties appear to be flouting the election funding cap and trying to conceal their funding sources, which some worry could be Guatemala's criminal groups.
Thailand's female monks (cautiously) lobby for legal recognition

A quiet campaign to grant female monks legal recognition began this summer. Advocates hope that the minimal fanfare will help the 'Bhikkhunis' evade conservative religious opposition.
Indians rally against a boom in corruption

As in China and other fast-rising economies, boom times are known to produce corruption cases. Now, social activists in India are pushing back with mass protests.
Six months after New Zealand quake, Christchurch's ability to rebuild in doubt

More than 4,000 aftershocks have hit Christchurch since one of New Zealand's worst earthquakes, hindering recovery and causing many locals to consider leaving for good.
Ecuador reels from worst alcohol-related tragedy ever

After 50 died in Ecuador this summer from consuming poisonous alcohol, critics say that the government response to buy back tainted products is insufficient and more education is needed.
Battle for Afghanistan's Gambir Jungle: 1st Platoon's 'last stand'

By the end of Day 1 of Operation Hammer Down, 1st Platoon needed help. But when reinforcements arrived, they found they had more than enough of their own troubles.
Front-runner Rick Perry plays the 'piñata' at GOP presidential debate

In his first presidential debate since entering the GOP field, Texas Gov. Rick Perry took most of the barbs from his fellow candidates on issues ranging from Social Security to jobs.
Supernova 'of a generation': how you can see it with binoculars

A supernova in the nearby Pinwheel Galaxy is the closest supernova in 25 years. Situated near the Big Dipper, the SN 2011fe supernova can be seen with binoculars this week.