Toyota’s massive recall involving some of the country’s best-selling vehicles may “not totally” resolve the problem of unintended acceleration, the head of Toyota’s US operations told a House panel.

According to a government report, more than 700 banks, or nearly one out of every 11, are at risk of going under.

Switzerland said it [...]

Customs officials and tax inspectors in Greece are holding a two-day strike to protest against government austerity measures, including wage cuts.

In a new effort to loosen the gridlock that is blocking progress towards peace in the Middle East, the US State Department has appointed one of its foremost Arabists as its new Ambassador [...]

Western diplomats are circulating a discussion paper proposing further UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, with measures that include expanding travel bans and asset freezes on people connected with the nuclear industry. In related news, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran is ready to send its enriched uranium abroad for further [...]

Ten Americans have been arrested in Haiti for allegedly kidnapping 33 children with the intent of putting them up for adoption in the U.S.

China’s top universities could soon rival Oxford, Cambridge and the Ivy League, the president of Yale University has said. But the Chinese government now spends billions of yen – at least 1.5% [...]

The world’s biggest candy company has just been formed, as Kraft Foods and Cadbury agree to a $19.5 billion deal.

Eight in 10 Americans support legalizing marijuana for medical use and nearly half favor decriminalizing the drug more generally, both far higher than a decade ago. In related news, e-commerce entrepreneurs are gearing up to serve [...]

Cyber attacks disclosed by Google and Adobe that may lead Google to quit China highlight a sophisticated type of bespoke cyberspying that could be more widespread than previously thought. A Los Angeles law firm recently reported a cyber attack from China as well, and is representing a company suing China for allegedly stealing its [...]

Many believe that the wealthy have a lock on US politics, and that is blocking the ability to do anything about urgent problems like health care, climate change, financial reform, and of course the low-wage, everything-to-the-top structure of jobs. Their top priority for 2010 is getting corporate money out of politics.

Congressman Dennis [...]