Quitting smoking adds even more pounds than thought: study
Quitting smoking leads to an average weight gain of four to five kilogrammes (nine to 11 pounds) in the first year -- "significantly" more than previously thought.
Guitarist Slash honored with Hollywood star
Guns N' Roses guitar legend Slash was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday -- with fellow former hell-raiser Charlie Sheen joining those paying tribute.
Apple loses British suit over Samsung Galaxy Tab
South Korea's Samsung won a patent battle Monday against US rival Apple, with a British judge ruling that Samsung's Galaxy tablet was not "cool" enough to be confused with Apple's iPad.
Megaupload N. Zealand extradition case delayed
Megaupload boss Kim Dotcom's extradition case against US authorities has been delayed until next year amid legal wrangling in New Zealand over evidence disclosure.
US calls on Iran to release Christian pastor
The United States on Monday called on Iran to release Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who was imprisoned in 2009 and condemned to death for converting from Islam to Christianity.
New York City mayor promotes 'micro' apartments
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday launched a tender for the construction of "micro-apartments" in the Big Apple, where rents are exorbitant and the number of singles is on the rise.
Cruise, Holmes agree split, vow to 'respect beliefs'
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have reached a "private" settlement less than two weeks after she announced their bombshell divorce -- and vowed Monday to honor each other's beliefs over their daughter.
Clinton in plea for rights of Afghan women
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a powerful plea Sunday for the rights of women in Afghanistan, using a global forum to insist that they must be part of the country's future growth.
Dozens dead in US heat as relief rolls in
A crippling heat wave that has held large swathes of the United States hostage gave way slightly on Sunday -- but not before leaving dozens dead in several states, officials and local media said.
Thousands risk Internet shutdown as US fix expires
Tens of thousands of people around the world whose computers were infected with malware may lose their Internet access Monday after the expiry of a US government fix.
Scientists say NASA's 'new form of life' was untrue
Two scientific papers published Sunday disproved a controversial claim made by NASA-funded scientists in 2010 that a new form of bacterial life had been discovered that could thrive on arsenic.
US congratulates SSudan on a year of independence
The United States on Sunday sent its congratulations to South Sudan as the African nation was set to mark its first year of independence, but said "significant challenges" lay ahead for Juba.
Oscar-winning actor Borgnine dead at 95
Veteran actor Ernest Borgnine, the star of dozens of films and television shows who won an Oscar for his portrayal of a shy butcher in love in "Marty".
Dogs may protect babies from some infections: study
Babies who spend time around pet dogs have fewer ear infections and respiratory ailments than those whose homes are animal-free.
Obama defiant, Romney pounces on jobs report
Weak jobs data threw President Barack Obama on the defensive Friday, as Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney told America's middle class it did not have to put up with such misery.
Justin Bieber caught speeding 'like a maniac'
Teen heartthrob singer Justin Bieber was pulled over and cited for speeding "like a maniac" to shake off paparazzi Friday near Los Angeles.
Yahoo!, Facebook unveil alliance, end patent dispute
Facebook and Yahoo! announced Friday a new advertising partnership as the two tech giants settled a court dispute over patents.
Cafe owner dies after serving Obama breakfast
An Ohio woman collapsed and died hours after serving US President Barack Obama breakfast at her restaurant on Friday.
Phone app allows US users to film police activity
A US civil rights advocacy group has launched a free mobile phone application that allows users to record police activity discreetly, saying it will help boost police force accountability.
US designates Afghanistan as major ally: Clinton
The United States has designated Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally, giving the war-torn country special privileges as the US prepares to pull its troops out in 2014.