European, U.K. central banks cut rates
The European Central Bank has cut its benchmark interest rate to 2.5 percent, following similar moves by central banks across the continent.

Police chief, club indicted in boy's Uzi death
A police chief and a gun club in western Massachusetts were indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter in the death of an 8-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself.

Retailers saw sales drop in November
Retailers limped through a miserable November that even a surge of shopping after Thanksgiving couldn't save, new data show.

Israelis can't escape troubles in world travels
Accustomed to war and instability at home, Israelis have long looked overseas for an escape, earning them a reputation as among the most intrepid — and noticeable — world travelers.

Author, 9, reveals how to pick up girls

Alec Greven isn't yet old enough to shave, but that hasn't stopped him from publishing a book for boys on how to approach the fair sex. "They were having a lot trouble getting girls to like them, so I wanted to write a book to kind of help them," he explained.

President, first lady buying home in Dallas

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush have bought a home in the Preston Hollow of Dallas where they will live after the president leaves office in January.

Teen girls charged in nursing home abuse

Two teenage girls who worked at a Minn. nursing home have been charged with abuse, accused of taunting, spitting on and groping residents who suffered from Alzheimer's and other disorders.

Congresswoman hangs up on Obama

A Florida congresswoman hung up on president-elect Obama Wednesday, thinking it was a prank.

Stocks take a late-session tumble
A period of relative calm on Wall Street ended as stocks tumbled in the final hour of trading on growing investor anxiety ahead of the government's November employment report.