China envoy ends historic Taiwan visit amid violent protests
TAIPEI (AFP) - A historic week of meetings paving the way for closer cooperation between China and Taiwan ended Friday as local politicians traded barbs over sometimes violent protests that marred the talks.
Rich nations should ditch 'unsustainable' lifestyles: China's Wen
BEIJING (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that rich nations should alter their lifestyles to help tackle global warming, at the start of a two-day meeting on climate change, state media reported.
DOE would expand nuclear dump in Nevada
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Energy Department will tell Congress in the coming weeks it should begin looking for a second permanent site to bury nuclear waste, or approve a large expansion of the proposed waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada.
Obama receives congratulations from world leaders
CHICAGO (AP) - President-elect Obama accepted congratulations from nine presidents and prime ministers Thursday, returning calls from world leaders who reached out after his presidential victory.
Asian stocks mixed on grim corporate forecasts
HONG KONG - Asian markets were mixed Friday with Japan's key stock index down 1.6 percent as grim profit forecasts from Toyota and other companies, combined with sluggish U.S. economic data, stoked pessimism about the global economy. The Nikkei 225 stock average dropped 144.24 points to 8,754.90. Investor sentiment took a hit after Japan's top automaker Toyota slashed its annual forecast a third of what it was a year ago. Its shares plunged 10 percent.
Cutler rallies Broncos past Quinn, Browns 34-30
CLEVELAND (AP) - Jay Cutler turned Brady Quinn's big night into his own prime-time showcase. Cutler passed for a career-high 447 yards, throwing three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter Thursday night - the last an 11-yarder to Brandon Marshall with 1:14 remaining - to rally the broken Denver Broncos to a 34-30 win over the Cleveland Browns that spoiled Quinn's highly hyped debut as an NFL starter. The Broncos (5-4) entered the fourth quarter trailing 23-13, but Cutler, borrowing a page out of John Elway's comeback playbook, brought Denver back. He recorded his fifth career fourth-quarter comeback victory despite losing two more running backs to injuries and only having his fullback to carry the ball.
Vanishing jobs, stressed consumers feed downturn
WASHINGTON (AP) - A vicious cycle of vanishing jobs and stresses on American consumers is spelling deeper trouble for the already sinking U.S. economy. All the economy's woes - a housing collapse, mounting foreclosures, hard-to-get credit and financial market upheaval - will confront President-elect Obama when he assumes office early next year. Obama has shifted from campaign mode to the task of building a new Democratic administration. A top priority will be quickly assembling his economics team, including the secretaries of Treasury, Commerce and Labor.
Nairobi summit bids to rekindle Congo dialogue
NAIROBI, (AFP) - Heads of state and mediators gathered Friday in Nairobi to energise peace efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a ceasefire collapsed and renewed fighting displaced thousands.