Panetta on staying as Pentagon chief: 'Who the hell knows?'
Pentagon chief Leon Panetta, a longtime veteran of Washington politics, sidestepped questions Monday about whether he would quit his post as expected and retire.
US vows to attack 'flaws' in UN Human Rights Council
The United States on Monday won a new term on the UN Human Rights Council and vowed to renew its campaign to put right "flaws" in the controversial body.
'Twilight' fans camp out for vampire farewell
Thousands of excited "Twilight" fans have been camping out in Los Angeles to await the last episode of the blockbuster saga -- and not even chilly temperatures could cool their vampire passions.
Sesame Street puppeteer denies underage sex claim
The puppeteer behind Elmo on "Sesame Street" says he is taking time out from the much-loved US children's TV show to fight a "defamatory" claim he had a sexual relationship with an underage boy.
New York governor seeks $30 bn in aid after Sandy
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo asked the US federal government for $30 billion in aid Monday to help his state recover from the devastation left by superstorm Sandy.
Anti-virus legend McAfee wanted for murder in Belize
John McAfee, founder of the eponymous anti-virus company, is on the run for killing another US citizen in a resort town.
Palestinian UN bid on Nov 29: Abbas
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has announced that the Palestinian Authority will present its bid for non-state UN membership, despite US and Israeli opposition.
FBI agents search home of Petraeus's lover
FBI agents searched the home of the woman at the center of a sex scandal behind David Petraeus's decision to step down as head of the Central Intelligence Agency.
New Bond film 'Skyfall' tops N. America box office
The new James Bond movie "Skyfall" swept North American box offices this weekend, crushing second-place animated feature "Wreck-It Ralph", industry estimates showed Sunday.
Obama tells Abbas of opposition to UN move
US President Barack Obama told Mahmud Abbas on Sunday that his administration opposes a Palestinian bid for non-state membership of the UN.
Russia will back US-Iran nuclear talks: FT
Russia will support one-to-one talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
500 rabbis call for release of US man jailed in Cuba
The wife jailed US contractor Alan Gross took part in a Florida protest Sunday seeking her husband's release from a Cuba prison, as some 500 rabbis from around the world appealed to Havana on his behalf.
Lover's jealous emails led to CIA chief's downfall
The FBI uncovered the affair that led to the resignation of CIA chief David Petraeus while investigating threatening emails sent by his lover to a second woman.
US declares support for united Syrian opposition
The United States late Sunday declared its support for the united Syrian opposition after various groups opposed to the government of President Bashar al-Assad decided to come together following talks in Doha, Qatar.
Apple still perched high, but seems vulnerable
Apple, the world's biggest and perhaps most admired company, seems to have lost some of its luster.
Mexican police charged over US embassy staff shootout
Mexican authorities charged 14 federal police officers with attempted murder Friday over a shooting in August that wounded two US government employees, reportedly CIA agents.
Fifth of US youth with HIV unaware during first-time sex
Twenty percent of young people born with HIV in the United States don't know they're infected when they have sex for the first time, according to a new study released Friday.
CIA chief Petraeus resigns over affair
Chief US spymaster David Petraeus has resigned over an extramarital affair, bringing an abrupt and ignominious end to a brilliant government career.
US not ready for Basel III bank rules: Treasury
The US Treasury announced Friday that it would not implement the Basel III rules for strengthening banks on January 1, saying the banks were not yet ready to meet the tougher capital standards.
Money flowed in for 2012 elections, but with little gain
Despite their funding deluge from wealthy donors, Republicans failed to overwhelm President Barack Obama and Democrats at the ballot box. So was throwing all that money at the 2012 election worth it?