Versace mansion closes, readies for art exhibit?
The palatial US villa where fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered closed its doors Friday following its multi-million-dollar sale last month.
G20 seeks 'urgent action' from US on budget impasse
Finance chiefs of the G20 on Friday called for Washington to quickly resolve the political paralysis over its budget and debt ceiling.
US Army seeks 'Iron Man' armor for commandos
US Army researchers are working on building hi-tech body armor that would give soldiers "superhuman strength" in a real-life version of the suit featured in "Iron Man" films.
US to reopen Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon
US national parks and monuments including the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon are to reopen despite the federal shutdown, after states agreed to fund them temporarily.
Obamas welcome Malala to Oval Office
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle welcomed Pakistani schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai to the Oval Office.
Venezuela holds US-operated oil ship in spat with Guyana
Venezuela on Friday said it has detained a US-operated oil exploration ship sent from Guyana in disputed waters off its coast, in a fresh border spat between the two neighbors.
N. Korea warns of 'all-out war'
North Korea on Saturday issued a fresh warning of an "all-out war", urging the United States to stop military drills and what it described as "nuclear blackmail".
Facebook ends 'invisibility cloak' for users
Facebook is ending a feature that allowed users to hide from the social network's billion-plus members.
World Bank to cut costs, bureaucracy: Kim
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on Friday announced a program to slash costs and reduce bureaucracy at the huge development organization that is expected to result in significant layoffs.
Cher & Co won't make room for Miley Cyrus generation
Cher may have her ideal burial place all mapped out, but the veteran pop star is far from having one foot in the grave with a new album and feisty views on feminism and the "genius" of Miley Cyrus.
Secret US court approves further phone tracking
The secret federal court overseeing US wiretapping programs has extended the government's authority to collect US telephone records.
Online video use surges: US survey
Americans are using the Internet more for video, both to post their own snippets and to view videos of others.
US denies plotting against Gambia leaders
The United States refuted Thursday what it said were "baseless accusations" that it was plotting against the government of the tiny west African nation of Gambia.
Space 'graveyard' reveals bits of an Earth-like planet
Astronomers have autopsied a distant, broken apart planet and revealed signs of water and a rocky surface together for the first time, delighting scientists on the hunt for alien life.
IMF gold sales to fund lending to poor countries
The International Monetary Fund announced Thursday it has harnessed windfall gold profits from member countries to fund loans to the world's poorest countries in the coming years.
US report says little progress on China rights
A US government commission said Thursday that China's human rights record has not improved under the country's new leadership and raised concerns on issues from minority rights to forced abortion.
NASA vows to review ban on Chinese astronomers
The US space agency Thursday vowed to reconsider the applications of Chinese scientists who were denied access to a NASA conference on security grounds.
Edward Snowden given 'integrity in intelligence' award
US fugitive Edward Snowden has been honored with a prize awarded annually by former CIA staff for exhibiting "integrity in intelligence".
US arms halt to Egypt largely 'symbolic': analysts
By suspending military aid to Egypt, Washington is pressing Cairo to end the bloodshed on the streets but its largely "symbolic" act is unlikely to have a concrete impact.
WHO launches drive against mercury thermometers
The World Health Organization and campaigners launched a drive Friday to try to wipe out mercury in medical thermometers, a day after nations signed a UN treaty to control the toxic liquid metal.