LATIN AMERICA-LEFTIST RETREAT

CARACAS, Venezuela — After a decade on the advance, the left in South America is in retreat amid an economic storm of the likes the region hasn't seen in decades. 

SEVERE WEATHER

ATLANTA — A storm system forecasters called "particularly dangerous" kills at least six people as it swept across the country, with tornadoes touching down in Indiana and Mississippi. 

SECRET CUBA PROGRAMS

WASHINGTON — Once-secret U.S. government programs in Cuba that included a Twitter-like messaging service and an HIV-prevention workshop contained inadequate monitoring, conflicts of interest and questions of legal responsibility for those involved, a watchdog body says. 

DRONE OVERSIGHT

WASHINGTON — Putting the U.S. military in charge of drone strikes in Iraq and Syria has effectively reduced congressional scrutiny of those sensitive operations, leaving some activists, lawmakers and U.S. intelligence officials fearful of increased civilian casualties. 

COLOMBIA-CHRISTMAS DROUGHT

BOGOTA, Colombia — This year's El Nino weather phenomenon is claiming an unexpected casualty in Colombia: Christmas lights. 

REFUGEES-IDAHO

TWIN FALLS, Idaho. — A refugee center finds support in community, but also opposition amid plans to bring Syrians to this rural stretch of Idaho. 

FORMER HOSTAGE-SISTER-OBIT

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Peggy Say, who spent nearly seven years on a tireless quest for the release of her brother, journalist Terry Anderson, and fellow hostages from kidnappers in Lebanon, has died. She was 74.