Russia set to advance ban on US adoptions
Russia's upper house of parliament was due Wednesday to vote for a bill barring Americans from adopting the country's children, in retaliation for a new piece of human rights legislation in the US.
Obama breaks off vacation to deal with fiscal cliff
President Barack Obama was to cut his holiday short and head back to Washington on Wednesday to try to address the "fiscal cliff," a set of tax hikes and spending cuts to take effect next year.
Three Afghans killed in suicide attack on US base
A suicide car bombing hit a US-run base in eastern Afghanistan Wednesday, killing at least three Afghans and wounding seven others.
Seoul says has other drone options than Global Hawks
South Korea is not necessarily committed to buying US Global Hawk surveillance drones, a spokesman said Wednesday, after the Pentagon requested congressional permission for such a sale.
US gun sales soar as owners fear new regulations
US firearm sales have sky-rocketed since the Newtown school massacre, as debate over gun control rages and enthusiasts fear certain assault weapons and high-capacity magazines could be banned.
Steve Jobs' estate pays to free impounded superyacht
Steve Jobs' superyacht Venus was free to leave Amsterdam port Monday after the late Apple co-founder's estate paid a deposit to resolve a dispute with designer Philippe Starck, who had had the yacht impounded.
US-Japan joint venture picked for Mozambique gas project
A joint venture consisting of US company CB&I and Japan's Chiyoda Corporation has been picked to participate in a liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique.
GM recalls 119,000 US trucks over hood latches
General Motors will recall 119,000 US vehicles because some of them may be missing a backup hood latch, the US automaker said in regulatory filings.
Son of late icon Kennedy rules out US Senate run
A son of late political icon Edward Kennedy said Monday he will not run for the US Senate in Massachusetts -- the same state his father represented for nearly five decades -- US media reported.
Instagram sued over contract changes
A lawsuit is seeking to stop Instagram from changing its terms of service, saying the Facebook-owned smartphone photo-sharing service is breaching its contract with users.
'Irresistible' Iowa woman fired for being too sexy
An "irresistible" Iowa dental assistant fired for threatening her boss's marriage -- even though she turned away his advances -- has lost her discrimination lawsuit.
US stocks lower on 'fiscal cliff' pessimism
US stocks slid during a shortened Christmas Eve session Monday amid pessimism about prospects for a "fiscal cliff" deal by the end of the year.
Two US firefighters shot dead in arson 'trap'
A convicted felon shot dead two firefighters and wounded two others Monday after luring them to a blaze that police said he had apparently set as a trap in a small town in New York state.
Homeless man in video asks for Timberlake's help
A homeless man featured in a mock video produced by a friend of Justin Timberlake for the actor's wedding is now asking the actor-singer for help.
'Hobbit' slays competition for second weekend in a row
Hordes of North American moviegoers flocked to theaters to watch "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," launching the "Lord of the Rings" prequel to box office gold for the second weekend in a row.
US lobby issues point-blank 'no' on gun control
The most powerful gun lobby in the United States stood firm Monday against any additional restraints on firearms and ammunition sales -- despite a national outcry in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre.
Revealed: secrets of ancient Chinese medicinal herb
Scientist in the United States on Sunday offered a molecular-level explanation for how a Chinese herbal medicine used for more than 2,000 years tackles fever and eases malaria.
Obama asked to retaliate over Russia adoption ban
Tens of thousands of petitioners are calling for US President Barack Obama to escalate the diplomatic feud that led Moscow to propose a law barring Americans from adopting Russian children.
Judge clears BP's $7.8 bn settlement in US oil spill
British oil giant BP won US court approval Friday of a $7.8 billion settlement with people and businesses who lost money and property due to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Court puts Californian gay conversion ban on hold
A US court put on hold Friday a new Californian law banning a form of therapy designed to change the sexual orientation of minors, pending a further appeal.