Top headlines:
U.K. slashes interest rates to historic low: The Bank of England cut official interest rates by a half a percentage point to 1.5 percent on Thursday, the lowest level in its 315-year history. ›16:49
Afghanistan detainees want to sue for freedom: A U.S. judge on Wednesday questioned whether four men seeking to challenge their detention as terror suspects at a U.S. base in Afghanistan were likely to take to the battlefield if released. ›22:42 7 Jan, Wed
Fire survivor: Lou the mule saved me: Jolene Solomon is beginning the new year with her life, her mule named Lou and little else. She says Lou's braying alerted to a fire that consumed her house but she escaped unharmed. ›03:31 7 Jan, Wed
Police stop school bus on liquor-store run: A school bus driver made an unscheduled stop at a liquor store, then allegedly asked a student to help hide her purchases when police stopped her, the district superintendent said. ›21:56
Video: Obama pushes plan of action: Jan. 8: Trying to underscore the urgent need for action on his economic stimulus plan, President-elect Barack Obama took the extraordinary step of giving a nationally televised address before taking office. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.(Nightly News) ›23:41
Nokia stops making only WiMax device: The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said on Thursday it had ended production of its only mobile device using the U.S.-centered WiMax technology, another blow for the struggling wireless technology. ›23:39
Microsoft's Ballmer: Windows 7 is nearly final: Microsoft Corp.'s next version of the Windows operating system is almost ready for prime time. ›04:22
Attack on U.S. patrol in Afghanistan kills 5: A suicide bomber struck U.S. troops patrolling on foot in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least two soldiers and three civilians. ›20:39
Bike stolen from crusader against bike thefts: A former Fort Lauderdale city commissioner who helped create a program to combat bicycle theft had his own bike stolen while trying to help people involved in a vehicle crash. ›21:44 1 Jan, Thu
Princess Mia and Meg Cabot are moving on: With a regal air kiss for Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldi, it's time for girl fans of the smash-selling "Princess Diaries" to bid adieu. But author Meg Cabot isn't going anywhere. ›15:01 6 Jan, Tue
Brides celebrates 75 years of 'I dos': In 75 years worth of Brides magazine, the main characters husband and wife have remained the same. She wears white, he dons a tux and they eat cake, but just about everything else about the weddings and the way they've been covered in the Conde Nast publication has evolved. ›21:57 7 Jan, Wed
Newsweek: Obama's Mideast peace offensive: Barack Obama has put on a good show of focusing his pre-inaugural attention on the economy while largely ignoring the rest of the worldbut he clearly has big plans for the Mideast. ›16:19
10 parenting New Years resolutions: From reclaiming your home to planning a long weekend getaway, resolve to live a happier and saner life in 2009! Parenting expert Stacey Boyd shares easy ways to transform your habits and provide a healthier environment for your little ones. ›15:44 7 Jan, Wed
Boy, 4, shoots babysitter: Police say a 4-year-old boy in southern Ohio shot his babysitter because the sitter accidentally stepped on his foot. ›01:32 6 Jan, Tue
Opening act for Congress: raising taxes: While tax cuts are an integral part of President-elect Barack Obamas stimulus plan, the newly convened Congress and Obama are nonetheless preparing for a tax hike. But don't worry just yet, unless you're a smoker. ›23:28
Ski bum? Bottom bared in lift mishap: A guy who dangled upside down from a ski lift with his bare bottom exposed probably doesn't want to hear any "ski bum" jokes. ›14:40 7 Jan, Wed
Engineer: Ash spill warning signs ignored: The nation's largest government-run utility ignored two small leaks that could have provided a warning years before a Tennessee coal ash pond collapsed, a former federal regulator contends. ›23:35 6 Jan, Tue
Video: Michelle Obama wins style points: Jan. 8: As eyes turn to the new first lady, Michelle Obama is doing her part to bail out the ailing fashion industry. NBC's Amy Robach reports.(Nightly News) ›00:18 9 Jan, Fri
Sexy snowboards get chilly reception: Emblazoned with Playboy models from the 1970s and garish images of self-mutilation, two edgy new lines of snowboards have many hot under the collar despite winters chill. ›22:26
Is your sofa toxic? Switch to eco-furniture: Your couch may look harmless, but theres a good chance that its emitting harmful chemicals into your home. If you're ready to bring safe, green design home, GreenDAY's Marisa Belger advises you to start slowly. Here's how. ›22:10 5 Jan, Mon
Obama says stimulus proposal could grow: In an interview with CNBC, President-elect Barack Obama said a planned economic stimulus plan could grow beyond $800 billion. ›12:29
Church money allegedly used for vasectomy: An Indiana prosecutor says a former church official is charged with stealing more than $276,000 from church accounts and using some of the money to pay for a vasectomy. ›00:45
GameStop holiday sales surge, shares jump: In what was a dismal holiday season for many store chains, video game retailer GameStop Corp. proved an exception. ›22:26
Police detain 2 men in Hungary school killings: Two suspects have been arrested in the killing of the principal and a teacher at a Budapest school, police officials said Thursday. ›01:24 9 Jan, Fri
