Obama's ratings sink on economic doubts  —  (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's approval ratings have dipped to their lowest level since January on deep economic worries, wiping out most of his lead in the White House race over Republican rival Mitt Romney, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Tuesday.

World poll: Chill on Obama policies  —  Global opinion of President Barack Obama has declined dramatically since 2009, according to a new survey of the president and his policies in 21 countries.  —  Approval of Obama's international policies has dropped from 78 percent to 63 percent in Europe …

Former Giffords aide Barber wins race to replace her in the House  —  Democrat Ron Barber defeated Republican Jesse Kelly in an emotionally charged and nationally watched special election to replace former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).  —  In what both candidates predicted …

George Zimmerman's wife arrested, charged with perjury  —  At her husband's bond hearing, Shellie Zimmerman was asked repeatedly about money.  Among the questions: How much did the couple collect in donations through George Zimmerman's website?  —  “Currently, I do not know,” Shellie Zimmerman replied.

Gadhafi is hero to NY House candidate  —  BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Charles Barron calls Robert Mugabe and Moammar Gadhafi his “heroes.”  He compared Israel's government to the Nazis, says he won't salute the American flag, and once offered that he wanted to “slap” the nearest white person.

Joy Behar Wants to See Romney's House Burn Down: 'Who's He Going to Call, the Mormon Fire Patrol?'  —  CRITICAL UPDATE AT END OF POST.  —  Joy Behar, Al Gore's new employee at Current TV, said Tuesday in response to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's comments on the need for more police …

U.S. Probes Cable for Limits on Net Video  —  WASHINGTON—The Justice Department is conducting a wide-ranging antitrust investigation into whether cable companies are acting improperly to quash nascent competition from online video, according to people familiar with the matter.

Newt Gingrich: Elections rigged for the rich  —  Newt Gingrich said Tuesday that elections are “rigged, frankly, in favor of the wealthy.”  —  “It is very difficult in America today,” he told MSNBC's Al Sharpton.  “If you look at New York where Mayor Bloomberg spent an extraordinary amount …

New Weapons Push Syrian Crisis Toward Civil War  —  WASHINGTON — With evidence that powerful new weapons are flowing to the Syrian government and to opposition fighters, the bloody uprising in Syria has thrust the Obama administration into an increasingly difficult position as the conflict shows signs …

Rogers not invited to Kenwood wedding that includes Obamas  —  Desiree Rogers and Valerie Jarrett in happier times, together at a D.C. party in May 2009.  Brendan Hoffman~Getty Images  —  The wedding aisle ...  The president is going. The first lady is going.  —  First daughters Sasha and Malia will be there.

After the cuts at The Times-Picayune  —  On May 29, Times-Picayune reporter Danny Monteverde was covering the murder of Briana Allen, the 5-year-old who was shot to death at a child's birthday party at Simon Bolivar Avenue and Thalia Street.  Monteverde was tackling the delicate task of interviewing Briana's family.

GOP senator questions whether excessive media contact led to leaks  —  Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) on Tuesday said members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees are working closely to develop legislation aimed at reducing the incidence of security leaks, and said he has several questions …

Why I Gave Up On Being a Republican  —  I'm a life-long Republican.  My political affiliation has been woven intrinsically into the very fabric of my being.  —  When I was young, Ronald Reagan bestrode the world like a colossus.  I grew up watching the Cold War end-game play out as Reagan faced …

Analysis: Obama's gamble: Asking for more time to fix economy  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - So far, President Barack Obama has not been able to convince most Americans that they are better off than they were four years ago.  His next step may be to try to convince them that they would be worse off under his Republican rival, Mitt Romney.

Cuomo Plan Would Limit Gas Drilling to a Few Counties in New York  —  ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's administration is pursuing a plan to limit the controversial drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing to portions of several struggling New York counties along the border with Pennsylvania …

Cornyn: Holder should resign in wake of Fast and Furious probe  —  Sen. John Cornyn called on Eric Holder to resign Tuesday as Republicans raised the pressure on the attorney general to avoid a contempt vote by providing documents about the Fast and Furious gun-tracking operation.

Bailout in Spain Leaves Taxpayers Holding the Bag  —  MADRID — After clinching a $125 billion bailout for Spain's banks, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy flew to Poland on Sunday for the Spanish team's soccer match, declaring “this matter is now resolved.”  —  Not so fast, prime minister.

Equality and the End of Marrying Up  —  LONDON — When the daughter of a former flight attendant married the future king of England last year, some starry-eyed monarchists cooed over a 21st-century Cinderella.  —  But the royal wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William was exceptional in more than one way.

Ex-loan officer claims Wells Fargo targeted black communities for shoddy loans  —  View Photo Gallery — From making subprime mortgages to fighting foreclosures: Beth Jacobson spent nearly a decade churning out millions of dollars in subprime mortgages.