In this photo taken Sunday, March 4, 2012, a man smokes as he walks with other delegates attending a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. China has banned its officials from smoking in public to set an example to the rest of the country that has the world's largest number of smokers. China's state media said Sunday that officials are not allowed to smoke in schools, hospitals, sports venues, on public transport or any other places where smoking is banned, or to smoke or offer cigarettes when performing official duties.Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
- BOMBINGS RATCHET UP FEARS AHEAD OF WINTER GAMES
A suicide bombing on a trolleybus in southern Russia killed at least 14 people, a day after another bombing at a railway station claimed at least 17 lives.
- WHO'S OBSESSED WITH TRACKING EXPENSES
Documents obtained by the AP show the al-Qaida terror group is serious about financial bookkeeping, with what amounts to a company-wide accounting policy across its many chapters.
- CHECKING IN ON POSSIBLE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
They may not be running officially yet but there's plenty of action among potential candidates for the next presidential race.
- FEDS KEEP AN EYE ON ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
While Colorado prepares to be the first in the nation to allow recreational pot sales in the new year, the Justice Department is standing watch.
- MICHAEL SCHUMACHER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN SKI ACCIDENT
A doctor says he cannot predict the future of the seven-time F1 racing champ, who is in critical condition following brain surgery after hitting his head on a rock in the French Alps.
- WHERE TEACHERS MAKE HOUSE CALLS
Urban public schools in the St. Louis area are experimenting with sending teachers to homes. But unlike previous programs, these visits seek to narrow the divide between teachers and parents.
- CHINA BANS OFFICIALS FROM SMOKING IN PUBLIC
China, which has the world's largest number of smokers, has banned officials from lighting up in public in an effort to get others to limit smoking.
- FEDERAL HEALTH MARKET SURPASSES 1 MILLION SIGNUPS
A December surge gives a boost to the problem-plagued federal insurance market website, the White House says.
- WHERE SOME ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS TURN FOR CARE
Facilities in northern Thailand provide high-quality care for the elderly that's also less expensive than in Europe or the U.S., some families say.
- WHAT'S AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE IN VENEZUELA
The nation's fiercely competitive baseball league is in full swing and it's drawing the biggest contingent of American players in decades.