Gas prices are near $3 a gallon, which is high for the holiday season. Retailers are nervous about the impact on consumer spending, but analysts say prices should start to come down soon.

China is leading a 19-nation boycott of Friday's ceremony awarding jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo the Nobel Peace Prize. It says calls to free Liu amount to meddling in its internal affairs.

Some 'hacktivists' use malicious software to capture and control unwitting computer 'zombies,' but WikiLeaks avenger 'Anonymous' is using social media to mobilize hordes of volunteers.

AP - The White House and key lawmakers in both parties cleared the way Thursday night for swift Senate action to avert a Jan. 1 spike in income taxes for nearly all Americans, agreeing to also renew expiring breaks for ethanol and other forms of alternative energy.

AP - Senate Republicans blocked a major year-end push by Democrats to lift the military's ban on openly gay troops on Thursday, dealing a huge blow to gay rights groups' hopes for repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" any time soon. President Barack Obama instantly appealed to lawmakers to make another, last-ditch try before going home for the year.

AP - Furious student protesters attacked a car carrying Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, vandalized buildings and battled riot police Thursday as a controversial hike in university fees triggered Britain's worst political violence in years.