ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – Madagascar’s president handed over power Tuesday — but not to the rival who plunged this Indian Ocean island nation into weeks of turmoil with his bid for power. In a radio address Tuesday, President Marc Ravalomanana said he was ceding power to the military. “After deep reflection, …

The California mother of octuplets has received a plentitude of gifts and a small army of volunteers to help prepare for her babies’ homecoming. The shower of gifts for Nadya Suleman and other support was detailed during Suleman’s appearance on an episode of the “Dr. Phil” show that aired Wednesday. …

SAN FRANCISCO – The economic downturn has slowed the growth of Indian gaming in the U.S., but the industry is faring better than traditional casinos, according to a report released Thursday. Revenues climbed by 1.5 percent last year — the smallest increase since a federal law regulating the industry was …

Procedures to fast-track approvals of new vaccines to combat H1N1 influenza do not reduce safety, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday. The WHO said vaccines had to be available quickly and in large quantities to have the greatest impact. “The public needs to be reassured that regulatory procedures in …

It was goodbye “Hannah Montana” at Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards as the once squeaky clean star Miley Cyrus debuted a more adult image with a racy performance in hot pants on a stripper pole! Cyrus honored pop princess Britney Spears with the “Ultimate Choice Award” for her “extraordinary contribution to …

DETROIT – March proved to be another dismal month of steep declines for U.S. auto sales as low consumer confidence and job uncertainty continued to keep buyers away from showrooms, but the improvement from February signaled that bargain-hunting buyers may be providing the momentum for a turnaround. General Motors Corp.’s …

A Colorado man went to the doctor’s office expecting a routine MRI, but ended up leaving with the nail that had been stuck in his nose for possibly 30 years, KKTV.com reported. Prax Sanchez literally coughed up the piece of metal, which he didn’t realize was in his nasal cavity. …

BEIRUT, Lebanon – The European Union’s 25 leaders called on Syria (search) Wednesday to ensure a complete retreat of its military and other security forces from neighboring Lebanon (search) based on a detailed timetable. The leaders, meeting for a summit in Brussels, called on Syrian President Bashar Assad (search) “to …

AMMAN, Jordan – A military court convicted three Iraqis Tuesday of smuggling rockets and hand grenades into Jordan (search), in connection with a plot to attack U.S. and Israeli targets in the kingdom. Only two of the men are in police custody; their 15 year sentences were immediately commuted to …

MONTPELIER, Vt. – More than two years after he left the governor’s office to make his unsuccessful run for the presidency, the fight over public access to Howard Dean’s (search) gubernatorial records is coming before the Vermont Supreme Court. Monday’s hearing is on the state’s appeal of a ruling that …