World saw declines in freedom in 2009, think tank finds

The unsolved murder of human rights activists in Russia. Their detention, torture and murder in Iran. Their jailing in China and Vietnam.

Former model recalls horrific acid attack

Katie Piper had everything going for her -- a blossoming career, a wonderful life and a beautiful face, but that all changed after a horrific acid attack in March 2008 destroyed everything as she knew it.

Guatemalan lawyer arranged own slaying, U.N. panel says

A lawyer who left a videotape saying Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom would be responsible if anything happened to him masterminded his own death last year, a special United Nations commission said.

Google reports China-based attack, says pullout possible

Google said Tuesday the company and at least 20 others were victims of a "highly sophisticated and targeted attack" originating in China in mid-December, evidently to gain access to the e-mail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

Reports: Al Qaeda leader killed in Yemen

The leader of an al Qaeda cell in Yemen has been killed in clashes with security forces, the Yemeni government said Wednesday.

Experts warned of earthquake risk in Haiti

Scientists have warned for years that the island of Hispaniola, which Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic, was at risk for a major earthquake.

Photos, texts tell of destruction in Haiti

The faithful prayed -- for relief, for mercy, for safety -- as aftershocks rumbled across Haiti on Tuesday evening.

Why Wars No Longer End with Winners and Losers

U.S. Ignored U.N. Aid Agencys Fraud and Mismanagement

A growing stack of U.N. audits and investigations point to fraud, mismanagement and lack of internal financial controls by the United Nations Office for Project Services.

Six Die in Clashes as Afghans Protest Koran Destruction

Six people were killed Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, where protesters claiming that international troops destroyed copies of the Koran clashed with Afghan and foreign security forces, Afghan officials said.