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?

Solar car completes first round-the-world trip

The first solar-powered car to travel around the world ended its journey at the U.N. climate talks Thursday, arriving with the message that clean technologies are available now to stop global warming.

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.

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.

Sorting out NFL pretenders from contenders
Curran: Just which teams vying for the NFL postseason actually have a chance to reach Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla.? Tom Curran is here to sort out the top teams and figure out which are contenders and which are pretenders.

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.

Long-term risk in troop brain injuries
Many of the thousands of troops who suffered traumatic brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan are at risk of long-term health problems including depression and Alzheimer's-like symptoms, researchers say.

Bernanke urges more action on foreclosures
Fed chief Ben Bernanke called on the government to ramp up efforts to stem soaring home foreclosures, which are feeding into the country's deep economic troubles.

Landmark West Hollywood strip club burns

A fire has erupted at the Body Shop, a landmark strip club in West Hollywood, Calif., included in the Motley Crue song "Girls, Girls, Girls."