WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. service companies grew in February at the fastest pace in a year, buoyed by higher sales, more new orders and solid job growth. The gain suggests higher taxes …

U.S. General: Lethal Aid In Syria May End Up In Enemy’s Hands

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior U.S. military commander says the situation in Syria is too complicated right now to provide opposition forces with lethal aid.

Jon Stewart Blasts ‘Incompetent’ Congress Over Sequestration

Jon Stewart on Monday couldn’t believe Congress would actually let the severe automatic spending cuts — known as sequestration — go into effect.

Dow Jones Industrial Average Reaches New High

NEW YORK (AP) — The Dow has never been higher.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped nearly 100 points early Tuesday, reaching an all-time high, powered by China’s strong economic growth targets and a jump in European retail sales.

Ex-DEA Chiefs: It’s Now Or Never To End State Pot Laws

CHICAGO (AP) — Eight former Drug Enforcement Administration chiefs say the federal government needs to act now or it might lose the chance to nullify Colorado and Washington’s laws legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Vatican Still Waiting For 5 Cardinals For Conclave

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican is now waiting for five more cardinals to reach Rome before setting the date for the conclave to elect a new pope.

North Korea Vows To End Korean War Cease-Fire

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea vowed Tuesday to cancel the 1953 cease-fire that ended the Korean War, citing a U.S.-led push for punishing U.N. sanctions over its recent nuclear test and ongoing U.S.-South Korean joint military drills.

Senate Committee Set To Vote On Brennan’s CIA Nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to vote on President Barack Obama’s pick to lead the CIA after weeks of wrangling with the White House over access to top-secret information about the use of lethal drone strikes against terror suspects and the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Venezuela’s Chavez Hit By New, Severe Infection

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez is breathing with greater difficulty as a new and severe respiratory infection has taken hold, Venezuela’s government said, describing the cancer-stricken president’s condition as “very delicate.”

U.S., China Agree On North Korea Sanctions

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States and China have reached agreement on a new draft sanctions resolution to punish North Korea for its latest nuclear test, U.N. diplomats said late Monday.