As Syria war escalates, Americans cool to U.S. intervention: Reuters/Ipsos poll  —  (Reuters) - Americans strongly oppose U.S. intervention in Syria's civil war and believe Washington should stay out of the conflict even if reports that Syria's government used deadly chemicals to attack civilians …

Court Is ‘One of Most Activist,’ Ginsburg Says, Vowing to Stay  —  WASHINGTON — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 80, vowed in an interview to stay on the Supreme Court as long as her health and intellect remained strong, saying she was fully engaged in her work as the leader of the liberal opposition …

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman files Donald Trump ‘University’ $40 million fraud suit  —  The AG's office accuses the billionaire's Trump University of defrauding more than 5,000 people with promises that they would get ‘hand-picked’ teachers to help them get rich in real estate.

Powell: Trayvon Martin verdict ‘questionable’  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says the jury verdict that freed the killer of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin was “questionable.”  But he isn't sure it will have staying power in the public consciousness.

Richard Vedder: The Real Reason College Costs So Much  —  The expert on the economics of higher education explains how subsidies fuel rising prices and why there's a ‘bubble’ in student loans and college enrollment.  —  Another school year beckons, which means it's time for President Obama to go on another college retreat.

Cruz: Political ‘tsunami’ needed to win fight to defund ObamaCare  —  Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) said Sunday it would take a political “tsunami” of grassroots pressure to win his fight to defund President Obama's healthcare law in the coming budget showdown.  —  “It is going to take a tsunami …

Two Endorsements: Quinn and Lhota  —  Mayor Michael Bloomberg is almost gone.  At year's end there will be nothing more he can do to shape, alter or improve the City of New York.  It's the end of 12 years of governing under one man's singular, often inspiring, sometimes maddening priorities …

Iowa's G.O.P. Fears Its Role in Presidential Selection Is Diminishing  —  AMES, Iowa — On the surface, Iowa's Republican presidential caucuses seem healthier than ever: would-be candidates are flocking here mere months after the last White House race ended, drawing sizable crowds and ample news coverage.

Julie Harris, Celebrated Actress of Range and Intensity, Dies at 87  —  Julie Harris, the unprepossessing anti-diva who, in the guises of Joan of Arc, Mary Todd Lincoln, Emily Dickinson and many other characters both fictional and real, became the most decorated performer in the history of Broadway …