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.

$1 million inaugural package for disadvantaged

A Va. businessman has spent $1 million to bring to Barack Obama's inauguration disadvantaged people, terminally ill patients, wounded soldiers and others down on their luck.

Automakers pitch Congress anew

U.S. automakers drew fresh skepticism from lawmakers Thursday in a rocky confrontation over their pleas for an expanded $34 billion rescue package they say they need to survive.

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.

Star-studded Web video protests Prop 8

Since Proposition 8 passed in California, much of Hollywood has been up in arms. Now, they are singing and dancing, too, in a new Web video called "Prop 8: The Musical."

Congresswoman hangs up on Obama

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

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.

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.

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.