Activists blast U.S. at climate talks

Environmentalists criticized the United States and other rich countries Tuesday for failing so far to make meaningful commitments at a U.N. conference on climate change.

Obama reaches out to governors

The president-elect pledged quick work Tuesday on an economic recovery plan to include tax cuts and increased federal spending, and told the nation's governors he wants their advice.

Official: It's Richardson for Commerce
Democratic officials say President-elect Barack Obama plans to name New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as his choice for Commerce Secretary on Wednesday.

Pirates open fire on U.S. cruise ship

Pirates near Somalia chased and shot at a U.S. cruise liner with more than 1,000 people on board but failed to hijack the vessel, a maritime official said Tuesday.

Teen shows up bruised, chained at gym

Police are questioning a couple after a bruised and half-naked 17-year-old boy showed up at a gym with a chain locked to his ankle, claiming he had just fled his captors, authorities said.

Ruling dissolves Thai government

Thailand's prime minister resigned on Tuesday after protests that paralyzed his government and closed the capital's airports. Protesters promised to lift their siege by Wednesday.

Official: 3 die, 29 hurt in India blast
A bomb exploded in a train coach in India's insurgency-hit northeast on Tuesday, killing at least three people and injuring another 29, a state government official said.

Carbon monoxide kills 11 girls at China school
Eleven girls died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a school in northern China's Shaanxi province, an education official said Tuesday evening. The girls had reportedly lit a fire to keep warm.

Rapport with Obama will be key for Clinton

Hillary Clinton's success as secretary of state may depend as much on Obama's willingness to admit her to his inner circle as her mastery of the job, officials say.