Syrian influence in Lebanon on the rise again
AP - Five years ago, Lebanese thronged the streets of Beirut to protest Syrian control over their country in a movement that quickly ended decades of military domination. (full story...)

Links to Wall St. Become Liability in Primary Races
In this political season, nothing is so radioactive in the precincts of New York as the taint of Wall Street ties. (full story...)

Cable worries over 'casino' banks
Business Secretary Vince Cable expresses "worry" about the combination of High Street banks with investment banking, after Bob Diamond is named as Barclays' new boss. (full story...)

Michigan governor’s race: Snyder vs. Bernero
by Jonathan Hiskes. Michigan gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder is an unusual Republican. In a year when Tea Party fervor has propelled fire-breathing extremists onto ballots around the country, Snyder comes across as a moderate, sensible Republican with crossover appeal. He’s a high-tech venture capitalist and former president of the Gatewa....(more) (full story...)

SW Philly streets forged a motorcyle drag-racing legend
AS A TEENAGER in Southwest Philadelphia, Rickey Gadson would lie in bed on sticky summer nights, listening to the motorcycle engines on the streets call out to him like howling wolves. (full story...)

Two troubled lives come together, leaving one dead
AS REINALDO AMADOR waited at the crosswalk last summer for the light to change on 5th Street and Allegheny Avenue, a man pulled up in a car, clutching a blunt. He asked Amador for a light. (full story...)

Rangel Hits Streets, Finding Love and Aversion
Representative Charles B. Rangel, long accustomed to being a shoo-in, this year finds himself humbled, trying to woo voters. (full story...)

London stocks fall amid banking concerns
AFP - London shares slid at the start of trading on Wednesday following steep losses across Asia and on Wall Street overnight. (full story...)

Long Beach faces possible police layoffs
As the city faces $18.5 million in budget cuts, some officers who patrol the street s could be laid off if the city and the police union can't come to agreement.At least 15 to 20 police officers who patrol the street s of Long Beach could be laid off if a stalemate in negotiations between th....(more) (full story...)

33 charged with blocking L.A. city streets during immigration protests
The charges include unlawful assembly, resisting arrest, delaying or obstructing an officer and blocking a sidewalk or street .Los Angeles prosecutors have charged 33 immigrants' rights activists with a variety of misdemeanor crimes related to three protests beginning in May that blocked city stre....(more) (full story...)