Australia: Holidays help economy
As Australia fights to head off recession, the national government on Thursday urged workers to take a holiday to help stimulate the economy.
Patriarch of Russian Orthodox Church dies
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II, who presided over a vast post-Soviet revival of faith but struggled against the influence of other churches, died Friday at age 79.
Obama urges donors to ease Clinton debt
The president-elect wants to keep an outstanding commitment before Hillary Clinton becomes his secretary of state by calling on his donors to help her reduce her massive campaign debt.
Rice: 'Well past time' for Mugabe to leave
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that it is "well past time" for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to leave office, as shown by the nation's cholera epidemic and health care crisis.
Paris robbers in drag steal $100 million
Armed robbers — some dressed in drag — made off with $100 million in loot from a lightning-fast jewelry store theft in central Paris, in what police Friday called one of France's costliest jewel heists.
Auto execs back on Capitol Hill seeking aid
Congressional leaders seized on grim new unemployment data on Friday to try to rally support for a rescue plan of up to $34 billion for U.S. automakers.
Muslims delay hajj amid tough economy
Many American Muslims have been forced to postpone their hajj pilgrimage because of rising economic anxiety and travel costs.
Record 1-in-10 Americans in mortgage trouble
An industry group says a record one in 10 American homeowners with a mortgage were either at least a month behind on their payments or in foreclosure at the end of September.
NHL suspends Avery 6 games for remarks
Sean Avery's suspension has been set at six games by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Satriani sues Coldplay for plagiarism
Rock guitarist Joe Satriani has sued British band Coldplay, accusing the Grammy-nominated stars of plagiarizing one of his songs.