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.

Obama names Richardson to Cabinet

President-elect Barack Obama named Bill Richardson as his choice for commerce secretary on Wednesday, after passing over his vanquished Democratic rival for secretary of state.

India siege raises concerns at U.S. hotels
The deadly attack in India had far-reaching implications for police and private security officials in New York and other U.S. cities.

California Democrat considered for trade job

Rep. Xavier Becerra, a strong proponent of labor protections in free trade pacts, is in discussions with the Obama transition team about taking the job of U.S. trade representative.

The phone that feels the flu before you do

Did your parents tell you to remember your scarf when you went out, so you wouldn't catch a cold? Today, the advice might be: Remember your cell phone.

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.

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.

Fewer toys with high lead levels, group finds

After the high-profile recalls of millions of lead-contaminated toys last year, a watchdog group said that its tests found fewer toys with high levels of chemicals in them this year.

Wall Street ends volatile day strong
Wall Street absorbed more bad economic news, closing higher as investors shuttled between pessimism about the recession and hopes that the nation might start to see some relief soon.

Treasury urged to cut mortgage rates
Financial industry lobbyists are urging the Treasury Department to take steps to lower mortgage rates in an effort to stabilize the housing market.