U.S. weighs action on mortgage rates

Department considers plans to intervene directly to force down rates and stimulate the moribund housing market, according to sources.

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.

Second-tier jobs will have clout in Obama era

We know who the new secretary of state will be in president-elect Barack Obama's administration. But what about the second-tier appointees who could end up immensely powerful?

Mars science laboratory delayed to 2011

The Mars Science Laboratory mission, originally slated to launch next year, has been delayed until 2011, NASA announced today.

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.

Ship carrying 122 adrift in Antarctic
The Argentine navy says a cruise ship carrying 122 people is adrift and taking on water in Antarctica but is in no danger of sinking.

Zimbabwe declares health emergency

Zimbabwe has declared a national emergency over its cholera epidemic and the collapse of its health system due to the country's economic crisis.

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.