LOS ANGELES – The head of McDonald’s Corp.’s (MCD) North American business Thursday said higher gasoline prices has had a “limited” impact on sales and that time-strapped consumers were more dependent than ever on the convenience and value the fast-food chain offers. “We’ve seen limited reaction to the gas prices,” …

TORONTO – Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM) reported a 57 percent jump in its second-quarter profit on Wednesday as surging demand for its popular BlackBerry (search) wireless e-mail device drove sales higher. But its stock fell in after-hours trading despite an improved third-quarter sales outlook and revenue and profit forecasts …

Global warming? Act of God? Nope, says one Idaho weatherman — Hurricane Katrina was part of a man-made plot against America. Scott Stevens, a meteorologist who for nine years has been forecasting the weather on KPVI-TV (search) in Pocatello, says the Yakuza — the Japanese mafia — is using a …

BEAUMONT, Texas – Hurricane Rita‘s imprint (search) — washed-out towns, wind damage and trapped residents — became ever-more apparent Sunday as authorities took stock of the wreckage and Houston braced for the return of nearly 3 million evacuees. While Rita didn’t match the destructive power of Hurricane Katrina (search), it …

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gov. Ernie Fletcher (search) said Monday he still plans to seek re-election in 2007 despite an investigation of hiring practices in his administration and his loss of a leadership decision in his own party. Fletcher said last week that GOP state party chairman Darrell Brock (search) should …

NEW YORK – The New York Times Co. (NYT) said Tuesday it would cut 500 jobs, or about 4 percent of its work force, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce costs. The reductions come atop another 200 jobs that were cut earlier this year. The Times said it …

An Illinois man made three mistakes earlier this month, according to the St. Clair County sheriff’s office. Mistake No. 1 was calling 911 about a robbery while drunk. Mistake No. 2 was telling deputies the purloined property happened to be several marijuana plants. Mistake No. 3 was not checking to …

NEW YORK – Jennifer Aniston (search) and Brad Pitt (search) didn’t have a chance from the get-go, says John Gray (search), best-selling author of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.” The couple separated in January after 4 1/2 years of marriage. Aniston filed for divorce in March, citing …

WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court Thursday questioned the Bush administration’s handling of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, suggesting the judiciary might have authority to delve into the conduct of military tribunals which have categorized almost all of the inmates as enemy combatants (search). The two hours of arguments were in …

LONDON – Zadie Smith’s “On Beauty,” (search) a tribute to “Howards End” set on a college campus, and Julian Barnes’ “Arthur & George,” a historical novel about Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, were among the finalists announced Thursday for Britain’s Man Booker Prize (search). Others on the shortlist for …