Hong Kong Leader Offers Talks with Protesters
Hong Kong's embattled leader refused to step down Thursday, as pro-democracy protesters have demanded, and instead offered talks to defuse a week of massive street demonstrations that are the biggest challenge to Beijing's authority since China took control of the former British colony in 1997.
Court to Hear Cases Over Employment, Housing Bias
Did retailer Abercrombie & Fitch discriminate against a Muslim woman who was denied a job because her headscarf clashed with the company's dress code? That's the question in one of the 11 cases the Supreme Court said Thursday it will take on in its new term.
Obama Touts Economic Gains Under His Watch
President Barack Obama laid claim to an economic recovery Thursday that he said has made steady progress even as he blamed Republicans for rejecting steps he argued would help families with little to show for an upturn that has lowered unemployment, beefed up corporate accounts and fueled the stock market.
Ole Miss Probe Magnifies Big Weekend for Rebels, Bulldogs
The Magnolia State was already going to be in the national spotlight this weekend with both Mississippi State and Ole Miss—among college football's elite teams—playing host to national powerhouses.
Saudi Arabia: 2 Million in Mecca for Start of Hajj
Saudi Arabia sought to assure the public that the kingdom was safe and free of health scares as an estimated 2 million Muslims streamed into a sprawling tent city near Mecca on Thursday for the start of the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage.
Faceoff in Hong Kong: 3 Sides, All with Options
Tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Hong Kong and crowds of students blocked the entrances to government headquarters Thursday as midnight approached—the deadline protest leaders had set for the resignation of the city's chief executive.
Putin: State Will Support Sanctions-Hit Sectors
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the state will offer support to sectors of the economy that have been hit by international sanctions, but says the country in general is unconcerned about the sanctions' consequences.
History Fight Coming to a Head in Suburban Denver
A fight in Colorado over how United States history is taught is coming to a head in suburban Denver on Thursday, with students and teachers expected to pack a school board meeting where the controversial changes could face a vote.
Miss. Colleges and Universities Seek More Money
Mississippi's eight public universities and 15 community colleges each would like lawmakers to increase their budgets by more than $75 million, arguing more state spending on higher education will help Mississippi's residents earn higher incomes and bolster the future of the state.
Miss. Tourism Officials Seek Bigger Promo Budget
Mississippi tourism officials are requesting more public money to promote the state in big media markets such as Atlanta and Chicago.
Blogger Accused of Photographing Cochran's Wife Indicted for Burglary
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The man accused of taking illicit photographs of the bedridden wife of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran has been indicted on burglary charges.
California Becomes First State to Ban Plastic Bags
Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed the nation's first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery and convenience stores, driven to action by pollution in streets and waterways.
Israel, Palestinians Part Ways in Dueling Speeches
In a pair of fiery speeches at the United Nations, the Israeli and Palestinian leaders appear to have abandoned any hope of reviving peace talks and instead seem intent on pressing forward with separate diplomatic initiatives that all but ignore each other.
Obama Goal of Gitmo Closure Stalled at Pentagon
The transfer of prisoners out of Guantanamo Bay has ground to a halt amid a slow Pentagon approval process, causing deep frustration within the administration and raising doubts that President Barack Obama will be able to fulfill his campaign promise to close the offshore prison for terrorism suspects.
EBay to Split Off Lucrative PayPal Business
EBay is splitting off its fastest growing segment, payment service PayPal, the e-commerce company said Tuesday.