Obama meets with McCain in Chicago
The former adversaries held a private meeting at Barack Obama's transition office to explore areas of legislative common ground.
- Those lazy, hazy days of presidential transition
- Congress meets for one last fight and to look ahead
- Obama close to Clinton on foreign policy issues

A senior ETA leader is arrested in France
French police have arrested one of the highest ranking leaders of the Basque militant group ETA, French and Spanish authorities said.

Pirates seize supertanker and head to Somali port
The Saudi-owned ship was loaded with crude oil and its 25-member crew, the U.S. Navy said Monday. The pirates were taking the ship to Eyl, a Somali port that has become a haven for seized ships. It was the largest ship pirates have seized.

A royal pain for the Spanish monarchy
A series of uncharacteristically candid interviews has given Spaniards an uncomfortably close look at their queen's conservative views.

Maliki government dismissing oversight officials
The Iraqi government is quietly dismissing the officials installed to fight corruption in ministries by order of the American occupation administration.

GM asks German government for credit guarantee
As Detroit auto executives prepared to make a new plea for aid to Congress, General Motors asked for a billion-euro credit guarantee from the German government.
- Seeking aid, automakers have a friend in a union

British experience shows bailouts might not suffice
The story of British Leyland, the automaker that burned through billions in government aid in the 1970s and '80s before eventually disappearing, highlights the limits of bailout packages.
- One plan for U.S. auto bailout would deny executives bonuses
- If Detroit falters, foreign automakers could soften the blow
- GM sells back its stake in Suzuki to raise cash

Citigroup plans to cut 50,000 more jobs, largely by selling assets.
The bank announced Monday that it was seeking to shore up its capital base and cut risky positions.
- Bank of America doubles down on Chinese lender
- JPMorgan Chase to relocate European headquarters to Canary Wharf

Annan urges rich nations not to drop aid to Africa
The former UN chief issued a stern warning to rich nations on Monday not to use the current economic turmoil as an excuse to turn their back on his continent.

Bavarian conservatives face challenge of change
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg's election as general secretary of the Christian Social Union shows that change has reached this conservative Bavarian Catholic party. But can he reinvigorate this party?

UN data point to lower emissions
The United Nations released its latest global emissions figures on Monday, providing cause for hope and concern just two weeks before the world's environment ministers meet in Poznan, Poland.

French appeals court restores marriage in virginity case
A French appeals court overturned on Monday a ruling by a lower tribunal that had annulled the marriage of two Muslims because the bride had lied about being a virgin.

Russian judge opens Politkovskaya trial to public
A judge ruled Monday that the trial of three men accused of involvement in the killing of the journalist Anna Politkovskaya should be open to the public, responding to criticism from her family that secret proceedings would harm the case.

Japanese economy in recession
The Japanese economy shrank 0.1 percent in the third quarter, sending the world's second-biggest economy into recession for the first time in seven years.

Sarkozy and the political potshot
In Europe, over the past months, Nicolas Sarkozy's modus operandi has met with a reticent reaction from France's neighbors.

Paris's newest and hippest shopping destination
The elegant shop that Yohji Yamamoto opened last week in Paris marks a fashion moment: a flagship on the cusp of haute couture and hip style for the Japanese designer, and the consecration of a discreet new shopping street - the Rue du Mont Thabor.

Ancient glory still felt in modern Egypt
Archaeologists have found evidence of the 138th pyramid in Cairo, but these monuments to Egypt's early ingenuity are also an ever-present symbol of faded glory.