Violent crime in the United States fell for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 with murder, rape and robbery all going down, although crime remains a serious problem in many urban areas, the FBI said on Monday

US-Scotus-Opens

The U.S. Supreme Court opened on time Monday, despite the effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Washington area.

US-Court-Abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to review an abortion-related appeal, a sign the justices were not eager to jump into the contentious social issue.

US-Court-Surveillance

David Nevin is an American private attorney defending accused 9/11 terror mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Human Rights Watch is an international group that has monitored the U.S. government's treatment of accused terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay military prison, including Mohammed. Journalist/activists Naomi Klein and Chris Hedges have written about the war on terror and have overseas sources as part of their jobs. These key plaintiffs asked the Supreme Court on Monday to allow them to proceed with a lawsuit over the constitutionality of the federal government's sweeping electronic monitoring of targeted foreigners suspected of terrorism or spying. At issue: Can these American plaintiffs who deal with overseas clients and co-workers file suit if they reasonably fear the government was reading and hearing their sensitive communications?

MED-massachusetts-pharmacy-license

A second Massachusetts compounding pharmacy surrendered its license after state inspectors found "significant" issues that could affect sterility, state health officials said. The pharmacy, Infusion Resource, was also found to have a center for giving intravenous medications to patients in violation of state regulations, which require a clinic license, Dr. Madeleine Biondolillo, director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Healthcare Safety and Quality, said Sunday.

POLITICS

POL-Looking-presidential

With Hurricane Sandy slamming the East Coast, President Barack Obama discarded campaign events in Florida and Virginia to return to Washington and address the nation from the White House. Meanwhile, Gov. Mitt Romney adjusted his schedule to hit the battleground state of Ohio, while directing his campaign resources in Virginia and New Hampshire to focus on storm relief. The candidates are seeking to balance the real threat of a killer storm against the need to squeeze out any last-minute advantages on the campaign trail.

POL-Crowley-Sandy-Politics

The beauty of being a president and a candidate is that when a monster storm stalks up the East Coast, you can run over to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and be seen as a president on the job.

POL-Romney-FEMA-States

Mitt Romney's comments about the Federal Emergency Management Agency, made at a CNN Republican primary debate in June 2011, are receiving renewed attention Monday as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast.

POL-Michelle-Obama-Iowa-City

Her husband may be taking a hiatus from the campaign trail, but first lady Michelle Obama isn't. She told an audience of supporters in Iowa on Monday that President Obama is putting his political schedule on hold to make Hurricane Sandy "his priority."

POL-Romney-Cancels-Events

Mitt Romney's campaign canceled the Republican presidential nominee's event Monday night in Wisconsin out of sensitivity for Americans being pummeled by rain and wind from Hurricane Sandy.

POL-Ryan-Storm-Support

Paul Ryan said at his only political event of the day that he and Mitt Romney are staying in touch with regional leaders and offering assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

POl-Virginia-Absentee-Voting

Ten of the 95 counties in Virginia have canceled in-person absentee voting for Monday, according to the State Board of Elections.

POL-Poll-Colorado