Top News

• Deadly train crash in Russia 'an act of terror'
  Investigators probing the derailment of an express train in Russia say they have found "elements of an explosive device" at the site.
  
• 3 Americans killed in China plane crash
  Three Americans died when a cargo plane crashed early Saturday at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said.
  
• White House crashers met Obama
  A couple who allegedly weren't invited to Tuesday's state dinner at the White House met President Obama at the event, a White House official told CNN.
  
• FAA releases recordings of wayward jet
  One of the Northwest Airlines pilots who overshot the Minneapolis airport told air traffic control the crew stopped radio contact because of "cockpit distraction."
  
• Man sought after 5 shot in Florida
  Police are searching for a man in connection with the fatal shootings of four people and the wounding of another at a home in Jupiter, Florida.
  
• Mendes: Shun fur for holiday gifts
  Actress and animal rights activist Eva Mendes hopes you'll shun fur as you shop for the holidays.
  

Business

• Bernanke: Don't tamper with the Fed
  Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, just days ahead of his confirmation hearing, is warning Congress that actions limiting the central bank's independence could prove detrimental to the causes of financial reform and economic recovery.
  
• Holiday shopping, round two
  As the nation's merchants awaited the first statistics on Black Friday sales, many got up early again Saturday to offer new bargains to shoppers.
  
• Quiet Black Friday on Main Street
  Black Friday was slow and steady for Main Street retailers, a sharp contrast from the door-busting stampede of bargain hunters that rush Wal-Marts and Best Buys across the nation.
  
• Dubai's threat to U.S. banks
  The news that the sovereign wealth fund of Dubai requested a postponement of billions of dollars of debt this week could pose a big problem for U.S. banks.
  
• Wal-Mart's Black Friday: Frenzied, not much drama
  They came by truck, by van and even by taxi.
  
• Dollar gains on Dubai debt concerns
  The dollar gained ground against major rivals Friday as investors cut exposure to risky assets and high-yield currencies after Dubai's state-owned finance arm sought to suspend debt repayments.
  
• Bonds rally as credit fears sap confidence
  Treasurys jumped Friday as investors flocked to the perceived safety of U.S. debt amid concerns about Dubai World's credit problems.
  
• Stocks slip on Dubai debt woes
  Stocks tumbled Friday afternoon as fears about the fallout from Dubai's debt problems rattled Wall Street in a thinly-traded half-day session following Thanksgiving.
  
• Oil sinks on Dubai debt concerns
  Oil futures sank more than 2% Friday as investors worried about Dubai World's debt woes and moved into safe-haven assets including the dollar.
  
• Bracing for another market crash
  Question: I'm very worried that we may see another stock market correction. Since the market low of early March, my 401(k)'s value has risen 77%, which seems like an awfully large jump. So last week I moved the majority of my investments into bond and money-market funds, although I did leave 50% of my international holdings intact. Do you think I jumped too soon? --Rick G., Corona, Calif.
  
• European shares buck global selloff
  Stock markets in Europe closed higher Friday, despite ongoing concerns about a possible loan default by Dubai's sovereign wealth fund, which sent Asian and U.S. markets sharply lower.
  
• Best Buy combats doorbuster scalpers
  The Black Friday scene at a Best Buy in New Jersey was busy yet calm, despite a large young crowd, damp conditions and attempted doorbuster ticket scalping.
  
• Black Friday crowds eager to spend
  Although Black Friday seemed to be missing the usual mayhem associated with it, the good news for merchants was that shoppers eagerly spent money on toys, cashmere sweaters, Snuggie blankets and gadgets at juicy discounts .
  
• Should you be paid for being on call?
  Dear Annie: Late last year, the software company where I worked as a full-time webmaster had to lay people off, but they kept some of us on as independent contractors. My boss offered me a deal where I would be doing the exact same job as before, only paid by the hour instead of on salary, with no benefits.
  
• Wall Street set to open lower
  U.S. stocks were set to open lower Friday, following sharp declines in Asian markets, as Dubai World and its debt woes threatened Wall Street's confidence.
  
• Black Friday shoppers hear the call of Zhu Zhu
  Zhu Zhu hamsters proved themselves the undisputed kings of Black Friday.
  
• AIG settles legal battle with Hank Greenberg
  AIG said Wednesday it agreed to settle long-standing legal disputes with the insurance giant's former chairman, Maurice "Hank" Greenberg.
  
• Afghanistan: Pay for it or charge it?
  War is expensive, and it's about to get more so if the U.S. government escalates its military efforts in Afghanistan.
  
• Bankruptcies spike 33%
  The total number of bankruptcies filed in the third quarter surged 33% in 2009 and is at the highest level since 2005, according to data released Wednesday.
  
• Fending off empty holiday shelves
  With sales slow and credit tight, small merchants are scrambling to stock their shelves for the year's biggest shopping season.
  

Entertainment

• Blanchett: I love raising boys
  Cate Blanchett may be a fashion icon but in her real life the actress is a mom who loves the daily chore of vacuuming.
  
• Adam Lambert's album sells well
  Adam Lambert's suggestive American Music Awards performance hasn't hurt sales of his first album.
  
• Osmond's turkey with a side of win
  The Osmond family Thanksgiving feast may have had something a little bit extra this year - a mirrored disco ball trophy.
  
• Dilana rocks new album and movie
  It's funny that rocker Dilana is not a fan of "American Idol" given the connection she has to two of its stars.
  
• Mendes stays clothed in latest anti-fur campaign
  Actress and animal rights activist Eva Mendes hopes you'll shun fur as you shop for the holidays.
  
• 'Everybody's Fine' drives home family message
  If you stared at empty seats around your Thanksgiving dinner table, Robert DeNiro's newest film could help.
  
• Debbie Allen's Middle Eastern adventure
  To dispel the myths of Middle Eastern culture, Debbie Allen created a play old through the eyes of two old boys.
  
• Aborigine drama wins top prize at awards
  An Australian drama featuring two indigenous kids living in the middle of the vast continent has taken the top prize at Asia-Pacific's film awards.
  
• Stars, there's an app for that
  Because celebs haven't taken over every bit of your existence quite yet, some are coming to your iPhone.
  

Sports

• Peter King: Favre passes biggest preseason test
  If Brett Favre can develop a quick rapport with his teammates and remain healthy for his 19th NFL campaign, the Vikings might be on the brink of something special, writes Peter King.
  
• Favre, Peterson tally TDs in Vikes' 17-10 road victory
  Benefitting from a full week of practice, Brett Favre showed glimpses of his future Hall of Fame self and played a strong role in the Vikings' 17-10 victory over the Texans.
  
• 'Not-so Amazins' lead lengthy list of disappointments this season
  The Mets and Cubs have fallen woefully short of expectations, which is why the beleaguered clubs are headlining Jon Heyman's in-depth look at this season's biggest disappointments.
  
• Will Brady play in Pats' opener?
  
  
• 'Pacman' strikes deal to play with CFL
  If controversial cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones is going to return to the NFL, it will be via the Canadian Football League. Jones agreed in principle to a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers late Monday night and is expected to join the team as early as Wednesday.
  
• Alabama DL Deaderick shot, wounded in robbery
  TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick was hospitalized in good condition Tuesday after being shot in the arm during an apparent robbery attempt at an off-campus apartment complex.
  
• Dodgers net Thome, Garland
  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers made a big push to lock up the NL West, acquiring slugging first baseman Jim Thome from the Chicago White Sox and right-hander Jon Garland from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
  
• Rubio shuns Wolves, inks deal with Spanish club
  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Point guard Ricky Rubio will be staying in Spain for the next two seasons instead of coming to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves this fall, according to two published reports.
  
• Pettitte flirts with no-no
  BALTIMORE(AP) After an error ruined Andy Pettitte 's bid for perfection, the left-hander's effort to console his dejected teammate was absolutely flawless.
  
• Michigan's Rodriguez denies practice allegations
  ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday that his football program has abided by NCAA rules, despite allegations from players and former players who say the team has practiced far beyond the time allowed.
  

Health

• Hand sanitizer: How well does it protect you?
  Here's everything you need to know about hand sanitizer: How it works, how much it protects you and when to use it.
  
• Study: Cost of treating diabetes to triple by 2034
  The number of Americans with diabetes will nearly double in the next 25 years, and the costs of treating them will triple, according to a new report.
  
• Where to go for healthy holiday shopping
  It's that time of year to make your list, check it twice -- and hit the stores. Happily, some retailers today realize that shoppers want a healthy experience as well as bargains. Here's a look at America's healthiest shopping spots.
  
• In cardiac arrest, think 'Stayin' Alive'
  Debra Bader was taking a walk in the woods with her 53-year-old husband one morning when suddenly he collapsed. At first she thought the situation was hopeless.
  
• After fire, boy with autism recovers, rebuilds
  A California fire destroyed Jonathan Reyes' house last year. Shaken by the fire, Jonathan, who has autism, had frequent meltdowns and nightmares. Today, the family has started a new life in a rebuilt home.
  
• Is snoring affecting your handicap?
  Have you ever had the feeling that a bad night's sleep has affected your game on the fairway?
  
• Mother hopes for cure for dying children
  "Every 15 minutes, a child is born who will develop a mitochondrial disease by the age of 10."
  
• Vegetable-inspired creativity for Thanksgiving
  Going vegetarian on Thanksgiving doesn't mean molding tofu into faux poultry or shaping legumes into meat-like blobs. Here are some mouth-watering ideas from iReporters.
  
• H1N1 linked to rise in bacterial pneumonia cases
  As H1N1 cases are rising, so are bacterial pneumonia cases, health officials are finding.
  

Technology

• Space shuttle lands safely in Florida
  The space shuttle Atlantis glided to a picture-perfect landing Friday morning under bright, sunny skies at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
  
• 3G wireless still holds promise
  There's been a lot of talk in 2009 about the next generation of wireless technology, known as 4G wireless broadband, but the current generation of 3G wireless technology is far from dead.
  
• China to launch second lunar probe
  China will launch a second lunar probe next October, state-run media reported Friday.
  
• Quiz: Test your techno-jargon!
  
  
• Apps of the Week: Time to shop
  With the holiday shopping season upon us, recession-minded retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart have created apps that let people buy products directly from their smartphones.
  
• Facebook paves way for IPO
  
  
• The season's hot video games
  Like a well-placed power-up, the right gift can light up the eyes of that video gamer in your life.
  
• Popular Twitterers paid to tweet ads
  The Twitter phenomenon, in which anybody can tell his or her followers anything -- in 140 characters or less -- now has a payoff that can go beyond the thrill of self-publishing.
  
• Britney Spears -- there's an app for that
  Because celebrities haven't taken over every millimeter of your existence quite yet, some intrepid folks of note are coming to an iPhone near you.
  
• Electronics retailers gear up for Black Friday
  For the past few years, holiday cheer has been in short supply for electronics retail chains.
  

Science

• Mars Science Lab launch delayed two years
  NASA's launch of the Mars Science Laboratory -- hampered by technical difficulties and cost overruns -- has been delayed until the fall of 2011, NASA officials said at a news conference Thursday in Washington.
  
• Shuttle lands at California air base
  NASA officials Sunday waved off the first opportunity for space shuttle Endeavour to return to Earth, citing poor weather conditions.
  
• iReporters watch planets, moon align
  
  
• Inspiration for 'Contact' still listening
  From a remote valley in Northern California, Jill Tarter is listening to the universe.
  
• Indian lunar orbiter hit by heat rise
  Scientists have switched off several on-board instruments to halt rising temperatures inside India's first unmanned lunar spacecraft.