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.

Rapport with Obama will be key for Clinton

Hillary Clinton's success as secretary of state may depend as much on Obama's willingness to admit her to his inner circle as her mastery of the job, officials say.

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.

Governors press for stimulus bill by Inauguration

Facing severe cutbacks in state services as the recession deepens, the nation's governors pressed their case on Capitol Hill Monday, asking for at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and disabled.

U.S. automakers to submit plans to Congress

Detroit's automakers, making a second bid for $25 billion in funding, are presenting Congress with plans Tuesday to restructure their ailing companies.

British Airways in merger talks with Qantas
British Airways PLC said Tuesday it is in talks with Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd. about a potential merger.

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.

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"?

Trampled NY worker lacked crowd training
A worker trampled to death when customers stormed a Wal-Mart for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving had no experience in crowd control and was placed at the entrance because of his hulking frame, police and a lawyer said Monday.