Obama not ready to order Syria strike but gives up on UN
President Barack Obama said Wednesday he had not yet signed off on a plan to strike Syria, but action appeared likely after Washington abandoned the hunt for a last-minute UN mandate.
US court martial sentences Fort Hood shooter to death
A military jury sentenced a US Army officer to death Wednesday for carrying out an Al-Qaeda inspired mass shooting on the Fort Hood base in Texas that left 13 dead.
A-listers Douglas, Zeta-Jones split, for now at least
Hollywood A-listers Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, one of Tinseltown's most high-profile couples, have decided to split, at least for a while.
Chinese media say 'no excuse' for West to strike Syria
Chinese state media warned the West against strikes on Syria Thursday as momentum mounted for President Bashar al-Assad's regime to be punished over an alleged chemical weapons attack.
Retail titan Amazon expands sales to Android apps
Online retail titan Amazon on Tuesday began letting developers sell wares in games or other applications tailored for Android-powered gadgets.
New York murders, shootings hit new low
Murders and shootings in New York have dropped to a new low, the mayor's office announced Tuesday, as the city's controversial stop-and-frisk policy comes under fire in the mayoral race.
Experimental drug 'cures' hepatitis C in small trials
An experimental drug combination cured 70 percent of patients with hepatitis C in early trials, offering hope of a simpler remedy for the chronic liver disease.
US forces to punish Syria, not push regime change
US forces readied to strike Syria on Tuesday, as the West insisted its goal was not regime change but to punish the Assad government for unleashing chemical warfare on civilians.
US blaze still growing, threatens San Francisco water supply
The wildfire threatening Yosemite National Park grew Tuesday to become California's seventh biggest ever, as firefighters battled to protect San Francisco's main water supply.
Measles-like virus blamed for Atlantic dolphin deaths
A virus that is similar to measles in humans is suspected of killing hundreds of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins since July.
Pentagon chief touts US focus on Asia as Syria looms
Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel meets his Asian counterparts on Wednesday as the United States promotes its shift to the region but a potential showdown with Syria looms over the talks.
Skype marks 10 years of shrinking the world
If David Huang had left his native Taiwan for Sweden a generation ago, he would have taken a giant leap into the unknown.
Victoria Beckham wants to create fashion 'empire'
Victoria Beckham, the one-time pop star who is now one of the most courted designers at the upcoming New York Fashion Week, says she has even bigger plans for her eponymous brand.
US to hit debt ceiling in mid-October: Treasury
The US will hit its statutory debt ceiling in mid-October, raising the chance that the government will be forced to default on its debts.
US threatens Syria over 'obscene' chemical strike
Washington warned Syria it would face action over the "moral obscenity" of a gruesome chemical weapons attack, as UN inspectors braved sniper fire to gather evidence about the incident.
US judge approves $20 mn settlement in Facebook suit
A US judge on Monday approved a deal in which Facebook will pay $20 million for using members "likes" as endorsements for ads.
US postpones meeting with Russia on Syria: official
The United States on Monday postponed a meeting with Russia on the Syrian crisis, as Washington appeared to be positioning for a potential military strike.
Assad says chemical weapons claims 'insult to common sense'
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Western claims his regime used chemical weapons were an "insult to common sense".
US 'alarmed' by eastern DR Congo violence
The United States on Sunday condemned rebel attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, hailing the world body's efforts to protect the population.
Zimbabwe threatens West with 'tit-for-tat' action on sanctions
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Sunday threatened "tit-for-tat" actions against Western countries that have imposed sanctions on his rule, suggesting US and British firms could be targeted.