In his first news conference as president-elect, Barack Obama said Friday that because the country is facing "the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime," he already has begun to focus on an economic stimulus package, extension of unemployment benefits, creation of jobs and help for the struggling auto industry...

Economists have long pointed to the lack of savings in the United States, which has contributed to the current financial crisis...

In the same week that the US Treasury Secretary sank to one knee to implore a congressional leader to vote for the $US700 billion ($890 billion) package to save the American economy, Colonel Zhai Zhigang became the first Chinese astronaut to walk in space...

As the U.S. presidential contest enters its final weeks, the Kremlin has grown increasingly upset with what it regards as Russia-bashing by both candidates at a critical time in relations between Washington and Moscow...