Politics

As Winona State University looks to get rid of its French and German language programs, and as French is used less and less in international politics, some languages flourish.

Vermont and Iowa have legalized gay marriage and the Washington, D.C Council has voted to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere, suggesting that anger about Prop 8 has galvanized gay marriage supporters to carry on the fight.

A federal judge has ordered a criminal investigation of the prosecutors who handled the case, a move that could end their careers.

Did an HIV-positive man act out of carelessness or cruel intentions? A Canadian jury calls it murder, but some AIDS activists disagree.

Gjorge Ivanov, the candidate from Macedonia's ruling party, won the country's presidential election by a landslide. Now on his agenda: ironing out the country's naming dispute with Greece.

An automatic hospital check-in is an example of how American health care is moving away from paper patient records.

Ask people to name the greatest American president, or their favorite president, and you’re likely to get the same answer: Abraham Lincoln. The Great Emancipator is remembered as a charismatic orator and an honest man, and has become a symbol of quality and reliability. But the actual details of his policies are often forgotten.

A bill in the North Dakota legislature bestowed human rights immediately after conception has been voted down by the state Senate after passing in the House this February.

Several countries say North Korea violated a UN resolution with this weekend’s launch of a rocket. While tensions will increase, further sanctions are unlikely.

Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, along with his brother Rob and four of the politico’s former confidants, were indicted on multiple federal counts of fraud on Thursday.

After Mexican drug cartels slipped across the U.S. border and are wreaking terror in its cities, America gets serious about security.

After several wrong turns in a corruption case against the Alaska politician, federal prosecutors have moved to dismiss the indictment against him.

By a one-vote margin, the Senate Banking Committee approved legislation that would curb some fee and interest hikes by credit card companies, and simplify gift card use.

Hundreds are feared dead after a Libyan boat capsized this weekend. The vessel was being used to smuggle immigrants into Europe; Italian authorities want Libya to help stop illegal immigration.

Chemicals in everyday items, such as flame retardants in furniture, may pose health and environmental risks, but consumer demand and corporate resistance may make state regulation ineffective.

There's hope that a new president means a pardon for the man who broke racial barriers at the turn of the 20th century and was punished for his lifestyle.

Despite concerns that they are a waste of paper, the phone book industry keeps providing them, year after year—and they outnumber the people who use them.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has delayed new immigration raids, indicating that DHS will target employers of illegal immigrants, not their workers.

Now that President Barack Obama’s administration has asked General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner to step down, many are assessing the consequences of this move.

Despite criticism over handling of the economy and allegations of an anti-secular agenda, Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) showed a solid win in Sunday's nationwide elections for city officials.

Some states propose cutting public assistance benefits for drug users. Will mandatory drug tests become law?

Notre Dame’s decision to invite President Obama as its commencement speaker has many debating whether Catholic universities should invite speakers who oppose the church’s stance on abortion rights and stem cells research.

Each year Canada’s annual seal hunt begins amid controversy, but a proposed EU ban on seal products makes this year’s hunt particularly contentious.

American college students are headed abroad in large numbers. Will this help to improve the standing and opinion of the United States overseas?

In a historic moment, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, aka FARC, released their last foreign captive on Tuesday, March 17. 

Mary Robinson was the first woman to serve as Ireland's president and is currently one of the foremost advocates of human rights and equality issues. Despite her tireless and impressive work in law, administration and politics, Robinson’s career has been fraught with opposition and resistance.

The ongoing debate between Greece and a former Yugoslav republic about who has the right to the name “Macedonia” heats up as the latter prepares for presidential elections.

After accusations of an anti-Israel bias, the UN Human Rights Council has made significant changes to a draft resolution for the upcoming World Conference on Racism.

In its latest effort to combat the potentially catastrophic impacts of global warming, the Maldives aims to become the first carbon-neutral country.

President Marc Ravalomanana has decided to step down today after weeks of protests killed more than 100 and led the military to mutiny.