Horrid holiday sales capped by dismal Dec.
Retailers are reporting dismal sales for December, confirming fears that the holiday season was the weakest in four decades.
African men jailed for 8 years over gay sex
Nine men, including a prominent activist, have been convicted of homosexual acts and sentenced to eight years in prison, their lawyer and a gay rights group said Thursday.
Daschle seeks health care overhaul
the President-elect's choice to head health and human services told former Senate colleagues on Thursday that he would learn from Bill Clinton's failed attempt to overhaul health care.
'One Laptop Per Child' program cuts staff
In another sign of the growing financial strain on nonprofit groups, the One Laptop Per Child program is paring its staff in half.
Weekly jobless claims drop unexpectedly
New claims for unemployment benefits dropped unexpectedly last week, but the number of people continuing to seek aid rose sharply.
Red Cross: Israel troops ignored Gaza wounded
The international Red Cross accused Israeli forces Thursday of failing to assist wounded Palestinians.
Thousands head home after Colo. fire
Thousands of evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes Thursday after firefighters took advantage of slowing winds overnight to partially contain a wildfire near Denver.
Former Sen. Larry Craig drops further appeals
A lawyer for former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig says they won't ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to void his conviction in an airport bathroom sex sting.
Diplomats seek Gaza cease-fire
The U.N. halted deliveries of much-needed food and fuel to the Gaza Strip on Thursday after gunfire from an Israeli tank killed an aid truck driver. World powers met to work ona cease-fire plan. ,
NYT: Bush's homeland security setup faces ax
Barack Obama is reportedly preparing to scrap the way President Bush oversaw domestic security in the White House and name a former CIA official to coordinate counterterrorism.
