Syrian opposition activists say the regime is continuing its brual crackdown, hours after Russia touted President Bashar al-Assad's "commitment" to ending violence.

When the Tunisian revolt erupted last year, Tunisia's president fled power in weeks. When Egyptians took to the streets, longtime leader Hosni Mubarak was swiftly ousted as well.

Amid growing outrage over civilian casualties in Syria, there are ever more urgent calls to aid -- or at least protect -- the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. There is renewed talk of creating safe havens and humanitarian corridors inside the country. And those demanding tougher measures are again asking why events in Syria should not prompt Libyan-style intervention by NATO and its Arab allies.

Deja vu, round two, a bad sequel or simply "here we go again" are some ways to describe the latest fight over extending the payroll tax cut. But even facing an end-of-month deadline before the 2% tax holiday expires, lawmakers appear no closer to a deal.

The 2-1 decision is expected to be appealed, possibly to the U.S. Supreme Court, and no same-sex marriages will be granted as that process continues.

Funeral services for the sons of Josh Powell are scheduled for early Saturday afternoon in Puyallup, Washington, where authorities say Powell set his house on fire, killing all three of them.

Chilling 911 tapes detail the moments surrounding the home explosion and blaze that killed Josh Powell and his two sons.

The death of Don Cornelius, the founder of the "Soul Train" television show, has been ruled a suicide, officials said Tuesday.

Britain on Wednesday dismissed a complaint from Argentina about the "militarization of the South Atlantic" as tensions rise over the Falkland Islands, over which the two countries fought a war 30 years ago.

On a day when New York City threw a parade to celebrate the New York Giants for their Super Bowl victory, at least one veterans' group is using the occasion to ask: What about a parade to honor the soldiers who fought in Iraq?