Japanese women shy from dual mommy role
As Japan's birthrate keeps dropping, experts worry about women's growing willingness to do without children - or childish husbands.

Earthquake hits off Vancouver Island
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Canada's Vancouver Island early Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Gustav may raise gas 15 cents a gallon

Oil prices shot above $120 a barrel and then pulled back as traders bet the government would tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if Tropical Storm Gustav disrupts production.

Dem convention boosts Denver merchants

Denver merchants are smiling this week as they enjoy a big boost from the business of some 50,000 people attending the Democratic National Convention.

Dalai Lama admitted to hospital

The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, has been admitted to a hospital in India with "abdominal discomfort" but there was no cause for concern, doctors said on Thursday.

Tourists flee as storm nears Jamaica

Tropical Storm Gustav surged toward renewed hurricane force on Thursday as it started pounding Jamaica, while many miles away New Orleans watched it with a nervous eye.

Up to 10,000 defy order to end Thai protest

Thousands of demonstrators batons and bamboo sticks, defied a court order to end their occupation of the prime minister's office compound, vowing to remain until the country's leaders resign.

Anxious freshmen meeting first on Facebook

Filled with going-to-college angst, many incoming freshmen spent plenty of time this summer soaking up campus life and getting to know their roomies and classmates first on Facebook.

Toyota lowers global sales target for 2009
Toyota lowered its global sales target for 2009 by 700,000 vehicles to 9.7 million Thursday, hurt by rising material costs, a slowing U.S. market and soaring gas prices.