California gay marriage ban overturned, appeal planned

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday found California's gay marriage ban unconstitutional in a case that is likely to lead to a showdown on the issue in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Romney's lead dips despite wins: Reuters/Ipsos poll

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Despite his strong showing in early voting contests in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney's support among Republicans nationwide has dipped slightly during the past month, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday.

Russia's Lavrov seeks peace in Syria as forces bombard Homs

AMMAN (Reuters) - Russia won a promise from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday to bring an end to bloodshed in Syria, but Western and Arab states acted to isolate Assad further after activists and rebels said his forces killed over 100 in the city of Homs.

Greek parties delay bailout talks despite EU threats

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek political parties delayed yet again on Tuesday making the tough choice of accepting painful reforms in return for a new international bailout to avoid a chaotic default, seemingly deaf to EU warnings that the euro zone can live without Athens.

Bernanke urges Congress to address Bush tax cuts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday warned Congress that putting off a decision on the fate of expiring Bush administration tax cuts could unsettle businesses and households, undercutting the U.S. economic recovery.

Key House panel advances Keystone pipeline plan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A plan to fast-track the stalled the Keystone XL pipeline was passed by a key committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, as Republicans made yet another attempt to spur approval of the project that has become a major issue in the 2012 elections.

SEC weighs two money market fund proposals

(Reuters) - The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission is eyeing two potential plans to bolster the stability of money market funds, but their fate remains uncertain due to internal disagreement at the SEC over the need for more regulations.

Obama risks Catholic vote with birth-control mandate

(Reuters) - Dr. Joe Casillas, an obstetrician in Southern California, routinely prescribes birth control for his patients. Though he's a practicing Catholic, he doesn't follow his church's stern warning that contraception is a sin. He believes women should have access.

Santorum eyes revival in Republican contests

LOVELAND, Colo. (Reuters) - Rick Santorum is gunning for a victory in at least one of the three states holding presidential nominating contests on Tuesday in a bid to slow front-runner Mitt Romney and revive his fading White House hopes.

Komen VP steps down after Planned Parenthood flap

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior executive of breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure resigned on Tuesday, a week after the group became the target of a public furor for cutting funding to women's health organization, Planned Parenthood.