Russian Ruble Drops 7 Percent as Economy Shrinks
The Russian currency extended its losses on Monday after a report showed the economy has started shrinking in annual terms for the first time since 2009 as the country is buffeted by falling oil prices and Western sanctions.
In Crowded Skies, Lost Plane's Request for New Path Denied
The plane sought permission to climb above threatening clouds. Air traffic control couldn't say yes immediately—there was no room. Six other commercial airliners were crowding the surrounding airspace, forcing AirAsia Flight 8501 to remain at a lower altitude.
Shots Fired on Los Angeles Police Car; No One Hurt
A man fired a rifle at two Los Angeles officers in a patrol car, but no one was injured in the attack that comes amid tension nationwide between police and protesters rallying against their tactics.
Mississippi Towns Regroup After Deadly Storms
Elizabeth Bordelon planned to go Christmas shopping until nasty weather blowing through southeastern Mississippi convinced her to hold off.
Ole Miss Law School Enrollment Falls
The University of Mississippi School of Law's first-year enrollment has dropped from 199 in 2010, to 156 in 2012 and just 127 students this year.
Theaters Begin Screening 'The Interview'
Critics and early viewers agree that "The Interview" is less than a masterpiece. But thanks to threats from hackers that nearly derailed its release, it has become an event.
Nissan Supplier Efforts Key to Miss. Output
Topre America's robots, tended by 165 employees, are now welding together support frames for trucks inside a Mississippi facility that's a long walk from where Nissan assembles them.
Russia: NATO Pushed Kiev to Drop Nonaligned Status
NATO members pushed Ukraine toward dropping its nonaligned status, Russia claimed Wednesday, and also criticized the alliance for expanding its military presence near Russian borders.
IS Shoots Down Warplane in Syria, Captures Jordanian Pilot
Islamic State group militants captured a Jordanian pilot after shooting down his warplane while conducting airstrikes over Syria, Jordan said Wednesday, in the extremists' first successful downing of an aircraft from the international coalition waging an air campaign against the group.
Officer Kills Armed 18-Year-Old Near Ferguson
Violent protests broke out in suburban St. Louis after another black 18-year-old was fatally shot by a white police officer.
Storms Kill 4 in Miss., Emergency Declared
Severe weather slamming the southern U.S. two days before Christmas killed at least four people, flipped cars, knocked out power to thousands and damaged several homes and businesses.
US Moves to End Ban on Blood Donations by Gay Men
Federal health officials are recommending an end to the nation's lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, a 31-year-old policy that many medical groups and gay activists say is no longer justified.
Sony Announces Limited Release for 'The Interview'
"The Interview" has been re-gifted to moviegoers as a limited Christmas Day release, putting back into select theaters the comedy that prompted an international incident with North Korea and outrage over its canceled release.
Women Excised from Public Life, Abused by IS
Extremists are working to excise women from public life across the territory controlled by the Islamic State group, stretching hundreds of kilometers (miles) from the outskirts of the Syrian city of Aleppo in the west to the edges of the Iraqi capital in the east.
Cuba Signals that Extradition of US Fugitives Off the Table
Cuba's point person on U.S. relations says anything is up for discussion as the two countries move to re-establish diplomatic ties, from anti-drug cooperation to joint environmental agreements.