WASHINGTON - Energy companies have placed $487.3 million in winning bids for the right to drill in the western Gulf of Mexico, knowing that they may get a chance later to also explore in other areas that have been off limits for decades. More »
ENSENADA, Mexico - Mexico is investing 163 million pesos (US$16 million) to save a highly endangered type of porpoise from fishing nets in the upper Gulf of California. More »
States where corporal punishment is allowed in schools: State Alabama Arizona Arkansas Colorado Florida Georgia Idaho Indiana Kansas Kentucky Lousiana Mississippi Missouri New Mexico North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas Wyoming ___ Source. More »
TUCSON, Ariz. - Construction on "virtual fence" projects scheduled along Arizona's border with Mexico is on hold indefinitely because the Interior Department hasn't signed off on use of its lands, federal officials said Tuesday. More »
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A U.S. federal grand jury handed down a new indictment against Puerto Rico Gov. More »
ASUNCION, Paraguay - Paraguay's new president is replacing the nation's police commander four days into the new administration. More »
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - An Argentine nightclub owner, six rock musicians and three low-level public officials went on trial Tuesday for a 2004 discotheque blaze that killed 194 concertgoers in the country's deadliest fire. More »
WASHINGTON - Dozens of energy companies bid Tuesday to explore nearly two million acres of the western Gulf of Mexico for oil and natural gas, but no offers were made for 90 percent of the acreage on the auction block. More »
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AFP) - - A massive strike against President Evo Morales was held in Bolivia's wealthier lowlands Tuesday, backed by rebel governors trying to wrest control of revenues from all-important gas fields there. More »
By Eduardo Garcia More »

Democrats await Obama VP pick as campaign heats up



