Pirates open fire on U.S. cruise ship

Pirates near Somalia chased and shot at a U.S. cruise liner with more than 1,000 people on board but failed to hijack the vessel, a maritime official said Tuesday.

Texans put on a show in Monday night debut

Mario Williams, Steve Slaton and the Houston Texans put on quite a show in their Monday Night Football debut.

Second death sentence for 'Chemical Ali'

A court sentenced Saddam Hussein's notorious cousin, known as "Chemical Ali," to death Tuesday after convicting him of crimes against humanity while crushing the 1991 Shiite uprising in Iraq.

Bush faces historic pardon choice

Anticipation is growing over possible pardons by President  Bush. Conservative columnist William Kristol argues that the president should consider pardoning "everyone who served in good faith in the war on terror."

India to Pakistan: Give up terror suspects

India demanded that Pakistan hand over suspected terrorists believed to be living in the country as diplomatic wrangling between the rivals intensified Tuesday following the deadly Mumbai attacks.

Rice gives piano recital fit for a queen

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave a piano recital for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Retailers tiptoe between Christmas, holidays

As American shoppers embark on their annual shopping binge , a prickly marketing question splits American consumers and stores: "Christmas" or "holiday"?

NYT: Pardon back in focus for Justice nominee

In the career of Eric H. Holder Jr., President-elect Barack Obama's attorney general choice, there is one notable blemish: Holder's role in the 2001 pardon of billionaire financier Marc Rich.

Scoop: ‘Idol's' emotional focus will highlight Abdul

"American Idol" plans to give the show a more emotional focus, which will play to the strengths of judge Paula Abdul.