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Two weeks after votes were cast, Tea Party firebrand Allen West conceded he lost his Florida Congressional race to Democrat Patrick Murphy. He was one of just a few Tea Party activists to be defeated.

Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo made big gains this week on the country's eastern border. As has happened many times before in the area, the fighting touched off a mass exodus of civilians seeking safety.

Republicans in the Senate on Tuesday blocked ratification of a U.N. treaty that would have helped countries protect the rights of disabled people. It was inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Opponents argued, among other things, it would threaten the ability of parents in this country to home school their children.

The way Texans speak, from using words like "y'all" to that old Texas twang, is iconic in American culture. But linguists say the twang is fading — and that, in a few decades, "talking Texan" may sound quite different than it does today.

Syrian officials deny having a chemical stockpile and insist they would never use it if they did. But a Syrian general, who defected earlier this year, confirms the chemical stockpile. He knows where the chemicals are stored, and he says rebel groups have been close to the stockpiles in and around Aleppo.

The Great Lakes drought is affecting the survival of some of the small harbor towns located on North Michigan's shore. Melissa Block speaks with Russell Dzuba, the harbormaster in Leland, Mich., where a line of sand is cutting through his harbor.

The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned North Korea's third nuclear test on Tuesday, and started discussions on further measures against Pyongyang. China joined in the condemnation, calling in the North Korean ambassador in Beijing to criticize his government's action. But whether China — North Korea's indispensable ally — will agree to tougher sanctions is an open question.

An environmental researcher argues the heavy phosphorus footprint of meat is good reason to eat less meat, given that phosphorus is a finite resource and critical for food security. But not everyone thinks we should be worried.

Both sides say they're ready to talk, but the Taliban is putting stiff conditions on any negotiations. All previous attempts at a peace deal have failed. Analysts say the Pakistani government lacks a coordinated strategy.

Cyberattacks on dozens of American companies appear to have originated in an area of Shanghai that houses a Chinese military unit, according to a report out Tuesday from the U.S. cybersecurity company Mandiant. The company says the group behind the attacks is the most prolific it's ever found.

The Senate held its first hearing on an assault weapons ban Wednesday, with activists pushing for tighter gun regulations sharing a table with gun-rights activists. They are seizing on public outrage over the December gun massacre at a school in Connecticut.

We've all done it: Skipped the reading assignment and rented the movie instead. (Because the six-hour Pride & Prejudice mini-series has Colin Firth, and the book does not.) In this Ask Me One More final round, the shorthand method will be put to the test. Our resident bookworm John Chaneski will give you the name of a book, and you have to name the film adaptation.

One name has been "retired." Others have never been reused. John is the most popular. It's a tradition going back to the year 533 that a new pope chooses a name other than the one he was born with. He's likely sending a message about what type of leader he hopes to be.

Under pressure from the New York state comptroller — who oversees one of its largest shareholders — the doughnut chain has agreed to set a goal of using only 100 percent sustainable palm oil to make its doughnuts. Production of palm oil has caused serious deforestation in Indonesia.

The big donors behind Karl Rove's Crossroads superPAC have started a new project to vet and recruit Republican candidates they believe can win. But some anti-establishment groups have viewed the project as an inside-the-Beltway power grab.

The stock market surged Friday after a week of conflicting economic signals. New data showed the economy shrank in the final quarter of last year, but employers kept hiring at a faster pace than initially reported.

The son of Rev. Jesse Jackson was accused of using $750,000 of campaign funds on personal expenses and to buy things such as a $43,000 watch and a hat once worn by Michael Jackson.

Years of war have overtaxed Gaza's hospitals, making it tough for kidney patients to get good treatment. Thanks to help from British doctors, Gaza surgeons are now being trained to perform kidney transplants. They hope to help ease the huge demand for dialysis, but transplants have their own cost.

U.S. officials and security experts regularly highlight the cyberthreat, but they also note that the prospects of a major cyberattack are remote. Cyberespionage and "nuisance" cyberattacks may be a problem now, but all-out cyberwar is not.

A new comedy starring Tina Fey and Lily Tomlin levies barbs at overactive parents in the college application process. It's a lively satire until it careens into typical rom-com territory: Can't modern women have a successful work-life balance without going insane?