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.
US fiscal cliff deal boosts world markets
World markets soared Wednesday after a tense New Year break, relieved after US lawmakers agreed a last-minute deal to avert massive tax hikes and pull their nation back from the fiscal cliff.
'Skyfall' joins Oscar runners in US producers' nods
Bond blockbuster "Skyfall" joined already Oscar-tipped films like Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" and Iran spy drama "Argo" on the Producers Guild of America best film shortlist
Obama signs 'fiscal cliff' bill into law
President Barack Obama has signed into law a contentious compromise bill hammered out in Congress that narrowly averted the US 'fiscal cliff of tax hikes and drastic, immediate cuts in spending.
Pentagon welcomes fiscal deal, warns against cuts
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday welcomed a deal to avert automatic budget cuts that would have slashed military spending and caused "damaging" consequences.
Amazon fends off Apple claim to "Appstore" name
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected Apple's claim of false advertising for Amazon.com to refer to its online shop for mobile gadget applications as an "app store."
'Hobbit' fights off rivals atop New Year US box office
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" fought off all comers at the North American box office over the New Year holidays, beating two Oscar-tipped movies to the top spot.
Clinton out of hospital, keen to resume work
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left a New York hospital late Wednesday after three days of treatment and is expected to make a full recovery from a rare blood clot in her head.
Oil down as euphoria over fiscal cliff deal fades
Oil prices were down in Asian trade Thursday as the initial euphoria over the fiscal cliff deal in the United States faded.
Obama says fiscal cliff deal made tax system fairer
President Barack Obama said Tuesday he had fulfilled a campaign promise to make the US tax system fairer with a deal to avert the fiscal cliff crisis that passed after a fierce duel in Congress.
Playboy founder Hefner marries for third time at 86
Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner has tied the knot for the third time, marrying a former Playmate 60 years his junior in an intimate New Year's Eve ceremony at the Playboy Mansion.
US House to vote imminently on 'fiscal cliff' deal
The House of Representatives will vote late Tuesday on a bill already approved by the Senate to avert huge New Year tax hikes and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff".
Globe greets 2013 in rolling New Year's party
A million people crammed into New York's Times Square on Tuesday to greet the New Year in a global party that kicked off in Australia before rolling around the world in a non-stop chain of firework displays.
Hillary Clinton hospitalized with blood clot: official
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been hospitalized after suffering a blood clot following an accident earlier this month.
Talks stall as fiscal cliff looms
Two days of last-gasp talks produced no deal Sunday between US political leaders struggling to averting a fiscal calamity due to hit the American and world economy within hours.
US backs Argentina in debt restructring case
The US gave strong support to Argentina on Friday in the Latin American country's legal battle with hedge funds over the repayment of $1.3 billion to holders of defaulted bonds.