Politics

Controversial Afghan Law Leaves Shiite Women's Rights in Question

Afghan President Hamid Karzai faces continued international and domestic pressure to further overhaul a controversial law affecting Shiite women that critics say he passed to secure votes from conservatives in this week's election.

Karzai, Abdullah Both Claim Victory in Afghan Election

Both of Afghanistan's two top presidential contenders are claiming victory in Thursday's presidential election, despite calls by U.S. and international officials to wait for official election results.

Bernanke: U.S. Economy Poised for Recovery

By Carolyn O'Hara

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke offered an optimistic assessment of the U.S. economy's chances for recovery Friday in a much-anticipated speech to fellow central bankers and top economists.

Brooks and Marcus on Health Reform, Afghan War

This week public opinion polls showed diminishing support for the war in Afghanistan, and across America the debate over health care reform continued. Analysts David Brooks and Ruth Marcus discuss these and other top stories.

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Popular 'Cash for Clunkers' Program to End Monday

The government will end its popular "cash for clunker" incentive program on Monday, two months early, because of dwindling funds. David Shepardson, Washington bureau chief for the "Detroit News," speaks with Jim Lehrer about the program.

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Historic Election Tests Security, Progress in Afghanistan

Despite Taliban threats and scattered attacks throughout the country, Afghans headed to the polls Thursday in an election being viewed as a gauge of U.S. progress there. ITN correspondent Alex Thomson speaks with Ray Suarez from Kabul.

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Afghans Defy Taliban, Cast Votes in Presidential Election

Millions of Afghans cast votes Thursday in the nation's second presidential election, despite threats of violence from Taliban militants. Nick Paton Walsh of ITN reports.

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An Unflinching Look at Violence in Juarez

Artist Alice Leora Briggs takes an unflinching look at the violence in the border town of Juarez, Mexico.

Grassley Calls to Scale Back Health Reform, Democrats Consider Split Bill

A key Republican Senate negotiator called Wednesday to scale back the scope of health care reform efforts.

Lockerbie Bomber Released from Scottish Prison

By Dave Gustafson

Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, who was convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie airliner bombing, has been released from prison in Scotland and sent home to Libya on compassionate grounds.