'17 billion' Earth-sized planets in Milky Way: study
The Milky Way contains at least 17 billion planets the size of Earth, and likely many more, according to a study out Monday that raises the chances of discovering a sister planet to ours.
US draws plans for up to 9,000 troops in Afghanistan: report
The US Defense Department has prepared plans for a smaller presence in Afghanistan after the White House insisted on examining the option of leaving fewer troops in the country.
Google maps New Year's resolutions around the world
Google is letting people peg their New Year's resolutions to an online map and see what promises others around the world have set out to keep in 2013.
US politician hopes for 'positive' Pyongyang trip
Former US governor Bill Richardson said Friday he hopes to assess what is happening in North Korea under its new leader Kim Jong-Un during what he hopes will be a "positive" visit.
International operation nabs 245 child porn suspects
An international police operation into child pornography led to the arrest of 245 people and the rescues of 123 children, mostly in the US.
Apple, Google gain in US smartphone market: survey
Apple and Google extended their dominance in the US smartphone market as 2012 neared its close, industry tracker comScore said on Thursday.
Pakistani Al-Qaeda suspect extradited from Britain to US
An alleged Pakistani Al-Qaeda operative accused of planning attacks in the United States, Britain and Norway was on Thursday extradited to America.
US study says El Nino, climate change link fuzzy
The frequency and volatility of El Nino, a weather pattern that hammers the tropical Pacific Ocean every five years or so, does not seem linked to climate change.
US holiday season online spending climbs
Industry tracker comScore on Thursday reported that US shoppers spent a total of $42.3 billion online during the year-end holiday season -- a 14 percent jump from the same period in 2011.
Helen Mirren gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
British actress Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in "The Queen", on Thursday received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
US criticizes Google chairman's N. Korea visit
The United States on Thursday criticized a planned visit to North Korea by Google chairman Eric Schmidt, calling it ill-timed in the wake of Pyongyang's widely condemned rocket launch last month.
'Black Beauty' could yield Martian secrets
A fist-sized meteorite nicknamed "Black Beauty" could unlock vital clues to the evolution of Mars from the warm and wet place it once was to its current cold and dry state.
Awlaqi may have bought hijackers pre-9/11 tickets: report
The FBI suspected that US-born Al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaqi, killed in a 2011 drone strike in Yemen, could have bought air tickets for three of the 9/11 hijackers before the attacks.
Steve Jobs bio film set for April release
The first film based on the life of legendary Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will be released in April, according to a distribution deal for "jOBS" announced on Thursday.
Fresh start for Congress, but fiscal battles loom again
With nearly 100 new members, the US Congress convened Thursday fresh from the year-end "fiscal cliff" fiasco, as lawmakers cast a wary eye towards the tough budget battles ahead.
US fines Transocean $1.4 bn over Gulf oil disaster
The United States hit drilling rig operator Transocean with $1.4 billion in criminal and civil fines Thursday for its role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
US school massacre survivors ready for class
Students at the elementary school where a gunman massacred 26 children and teachers last month were returning Thursday to classes at an alternative campus described by police as "the safest school in America."
IMF: US 'cliff' actions not enough
The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that US actions to avoid the fiscal cliff did not go far enough to address the country's long-term fiscal deficit and debt problems.
Obama signs sweeping US defense spending bill
President Barack Obama has signed into law a $633 billion US defense spending bill that funds the war in Afghanistan and boosts security at US missions worldwide.
Starbucks to enter coffee-loving Vietnam
Starbucks said Thursday it would open its first store next month in Vietnam, seeking a foothold in the coffee-loving country as part of efforts to expand in Asia.