Top headlines:
Oil tumbles below $44, gas hits new low: Oil tumbled below $44 a barrel Thursday and average gasoline prices slipped under $1.80 a gallon, both four year lows. ›22:14
China to send scientists into space: China's military-backed space program will send scientists on future manned missions as its demand for technical expertise rises, state media reported Friday. ›14:46
Forget your inhibitions on the world's sexiest islands: Whether you choose a beachy scene like Mykonos or an energetic city island like Hong Kong, these are the places where it's okay to forget about the horrors of the boring old real world and get back to sexy. ›19:51
Who's the smartest person in TV?: Who says cartoons are for kids? Entertainment Weekly has named "Family Guy" and "American Dad" creator Seth MacFarlane the smartest person in television. ›00:25
by Lawrence Ulrich: MSN Autos columnist Lawrence Ulrich talks turkey about the 10 worst cars of recent memory. ›07:00 31 Oct, Wed
Top Chef: Alex not creme de la creme: All chefs want to get their 15 minutes of fame, and this week the "Top Chef" contestants only had two. Competing for a chance to show their skills on the TODAY show, the chefs had to create a dish for a two-and-half minute live demo.Find out who stole the spotlight and who was sent out of the kitchen. ›13:59
Ruling could mean end to saucy Bratz dolls: Pouty-lipped Bratz will stay on store shelves until after the holidays, but their fate after that was uncertain after a court ruling banning MGA from making the Barbie alternative. ›20:37
New videogames lure players into the kitchen: A new crop of video games is encouraging fans to ignore their parents' advice and play with their food. ›15:33
Scientists turn into virtual body snatchers: Shaking hands with yourself is an amusing out-of-body experience. The illusion of having your stomach slashed with a knife, not so much. Both sensations, however, can feel real in a Swedish body-swapping experiment. ›00:17 3 Dec, Wed
Portable media players shrink in size, price: Portable media players are almost essential for any music, video or photo fan which could be just about anyone on your holiday gift list. ›20:58
Were too poor to keep our children: What happens when you can no longer afford your family? Dr. Gail Saltz advises a woman whose heart is in three states after sending two of her three kids to live with relatives, leaving her to deal with foreclosure and an alcoholic husband. ›19:16 3 Dec, Wed
Sumatra fault primed for more mega-quakes: One of the most dangerous faults in the world is primed for another monster earthquake, according to new research. ›17:19
Report: Ignored patient could've been saved: A homeless woman who died after writhing in pain on a hospital floor for nearly an hour could have survived if she had received proper treatment, a report concedes. ›14:45
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. ›17:02
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. ›21:24
How to cut your business travel costs: There are sane ways to cut travel and entertainment expenses. You won't be living the lush life, of course, but you won't feel like a traveling tramp either. ›20:03 3 Dec, Wed
Treasury weighs action on mortgage rates: Department considers plans to intervene directly to force down rates and stimulate the moribund housing market, according to sources. ›08:30
Newsweek: Do the Big Three deserve $34 billion?: Newsweek: Do the Big Three deserve $34 billion? ›15:13 2 Dec, Tue
More happiness, less sex for retired couples: According to a new survey, retirement leaves most couples feeling happier, less stressed and closer to their spouses than ever before. The survey paints a picture of content couples who are traveling, eating out, pursuing their hobbies and having less sex. ›16:05 3 Dec, Wed
Maude among TV Hall of Fame inductees: "Maude" and "Golden Girls" star Bea Arthur is happily poised to enter the TV Academy Hall of Fame, but she acknowledges it's her own fault the recognition didn't come sooner. ›18:27 3 Dec, Wed
Tent experiences geta designer makeover: Tents have always meant escapeif only to the backyard. But the latest experiences under cover are giving the concept a designer makeover. ›14:49 3 Dec, Wed
TV listings:
VS 'angels' cut carbs for big show: Let's take a moment to savor this little tidbit: Even Victoria's Secret's handpicked "angels" ramp up the cardio and cut out the carbs before they parade around in their underwear for a nationally televised broadcast. ›20:38 2 Dec, Tue
O.J. judge known for tough sentences: If O.J. Simpson is looking for a break from the Nevada judge who will sentence him for kidnapping and armed robbery, he may be in the wrong courtroom. ›21:58