Franken pulls closer but Coleman still leads

Democrat Al Franken caught a couple of breaks Tuesday as the recount in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race drew closer to a finish, though not enough to undo Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's persistent lead.

What's the new black? 'Mimosa'

Enough gloom and doom: There's a prediction from a leading color source that cheerful and sunny yellow will be the influential color of 2009.

Mumbai gunman promised cash

The only gunman captured during the terror attack on Mumbai says he was promised that his impoverished family would get $1,250 if he died fighting for militant Islam, security officials said Wednesday.

10 wonders in a winter wonderland

Is it really true that no two snowflakes are alike? Get the cold, hard facts on that question and nine other scientific puzzlers posed by the winter season.

Reid: Automaker aid plan lacks votes

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the Democrats' plan to tap the Wall Street rescue fund to save U.S. automakers doesn't have the votes to pass.

Passengers describe 'cheeky' pirate attack

Passengers on a luxury cruise liner attacked by pirates in the dangerous waters between Yemen and Somalia said Wednesday they were surprised by the assailants' boldness.

Experts offer ideas to fix Detroit
Auto industry experts have a wide range of ideas on how to fix the problems facing the Big Three, ranging from higher gas taxes to bankruptcy. Here is a sampling of their views.

World's oldest pot stash totally busted

Nearly two pounds of still-green plant material found in a 2,700-year-old grave in the Gobi Desert has just been identified as the world's oldest marijuana stash, according to a paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany.

Dealers desperate for auto bailout

Local dealers say that in the auto crisis, they are where the rubber meets the road. While a bailout of the auto industry won't solve longstanding problems, they say, it could buy them time to ride out the credit crisis that has sent sales plummeting.

I'll drink to that: Prohibition repeal turns 75

With wraiths of the 1930s seemingly lurking around every corner — Stock panic! Bank failures! Cloche hats! — the appeal of repeal is particularly strong this year, with a number of bars and restaurants planning to mark the milestone.