Leftist Social Democrats promising to soften the impact of the global economic crisis won the most votes in Romania’s parliamentary elections Sunday but not enough to take power outright, projections showed.

The party, which includes former communist-era leaders, could still wind up in opposition, according to two exit polls giving it roughly 36 percent.
The exit […]

Wall Street will look to build on the strongest weekly performance for stocks since 1932 on Monday, with investors focused on how recession-minded shoppers fared at the malls and a raft of government data that could give a clearer picture of the economy.

So far, it appears consumers still opened their wallets and might have […]

Many decades ago, cost-conscious Henry Ford turned to hydroelectric plants to power his car factories like the one by the Great Miami River, near this Cincinnati suburb. That assembly plant is long gone, but the power plant and the technology behind it isn’t.

Far from it. The push to get electricity from moving water is […]

Russia’s president paid tribute to Fidel Castro Sunday after a meeting with the Cuban revolutionary icon.
Dmitry Medvedev said his conversation with Castro Friday was “extremely interesting” and suggested the world should draw on the experience of such long-standing political figures when trying to tackle today’s problems.

Medvedev spoke in a video recording that was made […]

Laptop, cell phone and iPod owners tired of having their devices run out of charge after a few hours have been patiently waiting for the next portable power source to arrive.

Tiny fuel cells, powered by combustible liquids or gasses, have long been touted as the eventual solution. Potentially, they could power a laptop for […]

The president-elect won’t be there, but an Obama buzz will crackle through the conference hall when negotiators gather Monday for a final push toward a sweeping new global warming treaty.

“America is back,” says Sen. John Kerry, underscoring that Barack Obama’s election signals a U.S. intent to regain a leadership role on climate change.
“After eight […]

No customer voices competed with the harmony of “Silly Love Songs” flowing from the showroom speakers at Danville Chrysler Dodge Jeep.
A competitor’s blue-cross emblem beckoned through the windows from the dealership across the street. But Dugan Chevrolet Pontiac didn’t see many customers on that lazy afternoon either.

Downtime like this has become more common for […]

President Felipe Calderon pledged Sunday to clean up corruption within his administration and vowed his government would never negotiate with drug lords.
Promising to continue the battle against organized crime, no matter how violent it gets, Calderon said he would push President-elect Barack Obama to do his part north of the U.S.-Mexican border. Calderon has […]

Shopping up an appetite? Restaurants, which have been hit hard by the economic downturn, certainly hope so.
To entice shoppers, chains are increasing their advertising during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, offering freebies to customers who take a break from the stores and giving discounts to anyone who buys a gift card from the restaurant.

Denny’s Corp., […]

The head of the United Auto Workers made a public plea Sunday for government help for U.S. carmakers as the Big Three put the final touches on stabilization plans to submit to Congress.

“We cannot afford to see these companies fail,” said Ron Gettelfinger, the UAW chief, calling on Congress to approve the aid during […]