Canada strips citizenship of alleged Nazi war criminal
Canada has stripped citizenship from a Ukrainian-born man it is seeking to deport for alleged ties to a Nazi killing squad in World War II.
Obama signs law against Iran's influence in Latin America
President Barack Obama enacted a law Friday to counter Iran's alleged influence in Latin America, through a new diplomatic and political strategy to be designed by the State Department.
Senate renews warrantless surveillance act
The Senate approved a five-year extension Friday of a George W. Bush-era surveillance law that allows US spy agencies to conduct wiretapping on foreign citizens without a warrant.
Obama 'modestly optimistic' for fiscal deal
President Barack Obama said Friday he was "modestly optimistic" a last-minute deal was possible with Republicans to avert a "fiscal cliff" crisis that could spark a recession and rock global markets.
Apple to drop patent claims against Samsung phone
Apple has agreed to drop its patent claims against Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini after the South Korean rival said it would not sell the gadget in the United States.
New York murders lowest in 50 years: mayor
The number of murders in New York this year fell to its lowest point in 50 years, mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday -- a bit of good news as the United States tries to combat rampant gun violence.
Chavez 'fighting' for health post-surgery
Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced Friday that he will lead a government delegation to Cuba to visit President Hugo Chavez who was recovering in Havana following his December 11 cancer surgery.
Mexico archeologists uncover 800-year-old skeletons
Archeologists in central Mexico uncovered the bones of 12 children and adults who may have been buried 800 years ago.
Dinosaur 'thief' pleads guilty to smuggling
A man accused of smuggling 70-million-year-old dinosaur skeletons, including a Tyrannosaur, into the United States pleaded guilty in court Thursday.
Clinton, still recovering, to be back at desk Monday
Outgoing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who fell ill in early December and hasn't been seen in public since, will be back at her desk on Monday.
Bronx woman posed as aunt of US massacre victim
US authorities on Thursday arrested a woman accused of trying to profit from the massive public outpouring of support over the Newtown school massacre by posing as an aunt of one of the victims.
World's smelliest and largest flower blooms in Brazil
Hundreds of visitors are flocking daily to a botanical garden in southeastern Brazil to watch the rare blooming of the Titan arum, the world's smelliest and largest tropical flower.
C. Africa leader appeals for help to halt rebel advance
The United States evacuated its embassy in the Central African Republic as the nation's embattled leader appealed for French and US help after rebels seized large swathes of the mineral-rich country.
US teachers take up arms to prevent mass shootings
Several US states are considering allowing school teachers to carry weapons, and educators, determined not to allow a repeat of the Newtown massacre, are flocking to training sessions.
France to take in Afghans in danger for working with troops
France will take in Afghans whose security is at risk after having worked with its troops in the war-ravaged country, joining other Western nations facing a similar quandary.
'Stormin Norman' Schwarzkopf dead at 78
Norman Schwarzkopf, the US general who led Operation Desert Storm, which liberated Kuwait from Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 1991, died on Thursday at the age of 78.
Former US president Bush in intensive care
After more than a month in a Texas hospital battling bronchitis, former US president George H.W. Bush has taken a turn for the worse and is in intensive care with a "stubborn fever".
US paper draws fire after publishing gun database
A New York newspaper has sparked outrage by publishing a detailed map with thousands of names and addresses of gun permit holders in the wake of the Newtown school shooting.
Seven dead as US storm snarls post-Christmas travel
A massive Christmas storm that whipped up tornadoes, ice and snow from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes has killed at least seven people and grounded more than 2,000 flights.
UN, US concern as C. Africa rebels close in on capital
The UN is evacuating staff from the Central African Republic and the US has warned its citizens to leave as rebel fighters close in on the tense capital Bangui.