US needs rethink of Mideast peace plan: experts
The US administration must radically rethink ways to achieve a sustainable Israeli-Arab peace deal or risk seeing the goal of a two-state solution slip away.
S. Korea sacks Jill Kelley over Petraeus scandal
South Korea said Tuesday it was dismissing Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite at the heart of the scandal that brought down CIA chief David Petraeus, from her post as an "honorary consul".
Jackman welcomes 'Les Miserables' Oscar buzz
The screen adaptation of "Les Miserables" is being talked about as Oscar material and its star Hugh Jackman has welcomed the buzz as recognition of how hard it is to transform a musical to the screen.
Oscars buzz for Bigelow's bin Laden film
Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow's long-awaited movie about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden is generating Academy Awards buzz, even before its release next month.
Cyber Monday sales sizzling: survey
Online retail sales were jumping for "Cyber Monday," the key Web shopping day following the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
US aims to keep 10,000 troops in Afghanistan: report
The administration of President Barack Obama aims to keep around 10,000 US troops in Afghanistan after formal combat operations in that country end in 2014.
Israel reports success in new missile defence test
Israeli and US defence officials have successfully tested the David's Sling missile defence system, completing the first phase of the weapon's development.
US breaks $1bn for first time in online Black Friday shopping
US shoppers spent heavily online on the crucial Black Friday shopping day, for the first time topping a billion dollars in online sales in a single day.
Large explosion reported in Massachusetts city
An explosion thought to have been triggered by a gas leak leveled a bar in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday, moments after dancers were warned to flee.
Climate talks resume amid warnings of looming calamity
Nearly 200 nations gather in Doha from Monday for a new round of climate talks as a rush of reports warn extreme weather events like superstorm Sandy may become commonplace if mitigation efforts fail.
US actor Larry Hagman dies at 81: family
US actor Larry Hagman, who became famous for his role of J.R. Ewing in the US television show "Dallas," has died at the age of 81 after losing a battle with cancer.
N. Korea preparing for missile launch: Japanese media
US satellites have picked up signs that North Korea is preparing to launch a long-range missile.
S. Korea vows 'aggressive' defence against Lone Star claim
South Korea said it would "aggressively" defend itself Thursday after a US private equity firm initiated arbitration of a damages claim arising from the sale of its stake in a Korean bank.
Oil prices ease in Asia on Gaza truce, eurozone data
Oil prices fell in Asia Friday in thin trade following the US Thanksgiving holiday, with a truce in Gaza and gloomy eurozone manufacturing data weighing on buying sentiment.
Life on Mars? Maybe not. NASA rows back on findings
NASA downplayed Wednesday talk of a major discovery by its Martian rover after remarks by the mission chief raised hopes it may have unearthed evidence life once existed on the Red Planet.
US 'alarmed' by security deterioration in DR Congo
The US State Department late Tuesday said that Washington is "gravely alarmed" by the speed at which security is deteriorating in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Naked protest as San Francisco bans nudity
San Francisco lawmakers voted Tuesday to outlaw most public nudity, despite protests in the famously free and easy California city -- including a naked demo outside City Hall.
Panetta warns against retrenchment in fight against Al-Qaeda
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Tuesday that the United States needed to press efforts on the diplomatic and development fronts to put an end to the Al-Qaeda terror network.
In Israel, Clinton calls for de-escalation in Gaza
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed "rock solid" support for Israel's security while calling for a de-escalation of the conflict in Gaza.
Tolkien lawyers sue studio, ahead of 'Hobbit' release
Warner Bros declined to comment Tuesday on a lawsuit by the estate of author J.R.R Tolkien claiming that the film giant is abusing its right to merchandising linked to "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit."