Claudene Christian dreamed of living a seafaring life like the historic HMS Bounty naval officer who shared her name centuries ago. She'd secured a spot as a crew member on a replica of the Bounty and had announced it proudly on her Facebook page. But less than six months after joining the ship, her dream was cut short.

INTERNATIONAL

Damon-Syria-Amputee (with art)

It was around 6:30 in the morning. The air was crisp, the farmers had just watered their fields -- corn perhaps, Omar doesn't entirely recall -- and the ground was muddy, slippery and uneven. There was a pack on his back, a bag slung over each shoulder, and cradled in his arms, the frail body of his 11-year-old brother Abdulrahman. Abdulrahman, the baby of the family, couldn't walk on his own. His left leg was blown off in late July. The last words of the driver who dropped them off echoed in Omar's mind: "You're on your own now."

Sorious-Samura-African-Voices

As he strode on stage to accept the 1999 Rory Peck award for hard news journalism, Sorious Samura struggled to find the words that would fit the moment. He hadn't expected to win the prestigious prize and so hadn't prepared a speech. Looking out across audience, the pioneering video journalist made the snap decision to speak his mind rather than proffer faux gratification. "I stood there and thought of my people," he recalls, before asking, "Where were you when my people were killing, raping and maiming themselves?"

Hong-Kong-Swimming

Angel Lau adjusts her iridescent blue goggles over her cherubic face, steps to the edge of the pool and dives in head first. The 7-year-old is one of the lucky ones: Her mother enrolled her in private swim lessons since the age of 3. Many other young Hong Kongers are on lengthy wait lists as demand for public swimming lessons outstrips supply in a city that's surrounded by coastline -- yet a majority of residents can't swim, according to local water safety experts.

South-Korea-Talking-Elephant

Korean is considered one of the hardest languages in the world to master, but an elephant in a South Korean zoo is making a good start.

POLITICAL

POL-Ballot-Initiatives

President Barack Obama's second term is on the line in Tuesday's election, but so is a key component of his signature health care reform law.

POL-Gubernatorial-Races-2012

Washington gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna looks to help Republicans cross an important threshold while expanding their power at the top of state government nationally. McKenna is locked in a competitive race in a state that hasn't had a Republican governor in nearly 30 years. It's just one example of how the party is leveraging trends and strengthening its hand in a number of ways in state races across the country. If projections bear out and they grab four seats in addition to retaining the three they are defending, Republicans could hold the governorships of 30 states after Election Day, the most for them in nearly half a century.

POL-Senate-Races (with art)

Even before a second Republican Senate candidate tripped over incendiary comments about rape, GOP leaders in Washington knew that their once promising chances of winning control of the Senate had diminished.

POL-House-Preview

There may be little drama left in the outcome, but you wouldn't know that by watching the final days of campaigning in the battle for the U.S. House. Democratic and Republican congressional campaign committees and outside groups for both parties are ramping up spending and committing tens of millions of dollars to those races.

POL-Crowley-Sandy-Politics

The beauty of being a president and a candidate is that when a monster storm stalks up the East Coast, you can run over to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and be seen as a president on the job. Which also works if you are re-applying.

POL-Obama-Campaign-Confidence

With polls showing the presidential race tightening Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania -- and Republicans signaling they think those three Democratic states could be in play -- whoever wins these states could come out on top by a close shave. And if GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney takes any of those states, a top adviser to President Barack Obama says shaving is just what he'll do.

FINANCIAL

MONEY-Sandy-Banking

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, banks are offering short-term loans and emergency credit limit increases to many East coast residents. But before jumping on one of these offers, make sure you know what you're getting into.

MONEY-Sandy-Economic-Impact

The estimated loss to the nation's economy from Superstorm Sandy has climbed to as much as $50 billion, making it one of the nation's most costly disasters.

MONEY-Sandy-Business-Risk

There are only so many disasters a business owner can prepare for, and Superstorm Sandy wasn't one of them.

MONEY-Global-Office-Coaching

Bill Clinton had a coach, Oprah Winfrey used one to help her get to the top of her career and, of course, top sports stars have them.

MEDICAL

MED-Weight-Maintenance

With all the talk about obesity in America, you might be surprised to know that most people are pretty good at losing weight. Weight loss programs have proven effective in helping people drop pounds. But keeping them off is another story. Studies have shown that overweight participants typically give up their newly learned health habits and regain 30 to 50% of the weight they lost within one year, even if they participate in a post-weight loss maintenance program.

MED-Stress-Disaster

For too many, the past few days have been some of the toughest in recent memory. We gasped at the approach of a monster storm, no less formidable because of its casual moniker. In the days leading up to its arrival, our friends and family in the East prepared as best as they could. Then they hunkered down as Sandy wreaked havoc in a crazed rumpus. Millions have begun to take the first steps on the road to recovery, daunting as it may be.

MED-Medical-Tape

Spiderwebs may inspire better medical tape.

MED-Disaster-Kids