By Matt Daily and Angus MacSwan NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - More than half a million Americans lost their jobs in December, making 2008 the worst year for U.S. employment since World War Two, while industrial output plunged across Europe and the global economic crisis bit deeper. The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to... more

Israel rebuffs U.N. resolution, pursues Gaza war

By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA (Reuters) - Israel rejected a U.N. resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Friday and warplanes and tanks pounded the Palestinian enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert dismissed Thursday's binding Security Council resolution demanding... more

Harper vows big budget actions over 3-5 years
EU seeks to finalize Russian gas monitoring deal
Israel rebuffs U.N. resolution and pursues Gaza war

> more

Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow runs past the Oklahoma Sooners bench in the third quarter in the NCAA's BCS National Championship football game in Miami, January 8, 2009. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes

Tebow leads Florida to national title

By Simon Evans MIAMI (Reuters) - Tim Tebow inspired Florida to their second national title inside three years with a 24-14 victory over Oklahoma in the BCS national championship game on Thursday. Running quarterback Tebow, who could enter the NFL draft this... more

Ovechkin gets All Star invite after snub by fans
Murray to play Roddick in Qatar Open final
Roddick overcomes Monfils to reach Doha final

> more

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy (L) and singer Diana Ross arrive at the 2007 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California, June 26, 2007. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Motown turns 50, proud of musical, social legacy

DETROIT (Reuters) - Motown has always been about more than music. As the soul empire turns 50 on Monday, its founders are looking back at its brand of music dubbed the "Motown sound" that remains popular today and the record... more

"Slumdog Millionaire" in the money at L.A. awards
Travolta thanks fans, Jett memorial held
"60 Minutes" unveils special edition DVD on Obama

> more

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks to the media in Toronto in this December 20, 2008 file photo. REUTERS/Mark Blinch

Economy may need years of stimulus

By Randall Palmer OTTAWA (Reuters) - The extraordinary economic turmoil facing Canada and the world may require up to five years of "big, comprehensive" stimulus and other measures, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Friday. "We're in an unprecedented period. We're going... more

Canadian economy sheds more jobs in December
Biovail reaches settlement with Canada regulator
Ottawa defers first batch of auto aid to mid-January

> more

Chilliwack flood victims applying for disaster assistance

Chilliwack is one of nine B.C. communities given the go-ahead to apply for disaster financial assistance in the wake of flooding and mudslides. The provincial program covers 80 per cent of a claim up to $300,000. Public Safety minister John van Dongen... more

Police called to midget hockey brawl
Chilliwack declares local state of emergency
Traffic snarled by fatal vehicle collision

> more

A Canadian flag flies from the window of a General Motors vehicle at a car dealership in Toronto December 12, 2008. Ottawa has agreed to a request by the Canadian arms of General Motors Corp <GM.N> and Chrysler LLC to defer their first emergency loans until mid-January, a government official said on Friday. REUTERS/Mike Cassese

Ottawa defers first batch of auto aid to mid-Jan

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Ottawa has agreed to a request by the Canadian arms of General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC to defer their first emergency loans until mid-January, a government official said on Friday. "We have agreed to this request," said... more

Flaherty sees "substantial" deficit
Deep Canadian oil-price discounts expected to ease
Canada's Globe and Mail plans job cuts: union

> more

Morgan Tsvangirai arrives for power-sharing talks at the Rainbow Towers hotel in Harare October 27, 2008. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai seeks crucial Mugabe meeting

By Nelson Banya HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has requested a meeting with President Robert Mugabe in an effort to salvage a power-sharing deal, an opposition spokesman said on Friday. Tsvangirai and Mugabe signed a unity pact last September... more

Peru moves Berenson to Lima jail for pregnancy care
U.S. says Iraqis may still be held without charge
Liberian warlord's son gets 97 years in U.S. prison

> more

People use computers at an Internet cafe in Changzhi, north China's Shanxi province June 20, 2007. REUTERS/Stringer

Computer geeks learn to flirt

BERLIN (Reuters) - Even the most quirky of computer nerds can learn to flirt with finesse thanks to a new "flirting course" being offered to budding IT engineers at Potsdam University south of Berlin. The 440 students enrolled in the master's... more