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WASHINGTON – Orders to U.S. factories fell in April, their biggest setback in three months and another sign of slowing economic activity in the spring. The Commerce Department reported Friday that demand for manufactured goods dropped by $7.4 billion to $397.98 billion in April, a decline of 1.8 percent from …

AUSTIN, Texas – One of the world’s most notorious spammers has settled lawsuits with the state of Texas and Microsoft Corp. that cost him at least $1 million (euro780,000), took away most of his assets and forced him to stop sending the nuisance e-mails. Ryan Pitylak, 24, who graduated from …

LUBBOCK, Texas – A newborn taken from her parents’ home less than a week after birth was back in her mother’s arms Tuesday morning, and a 33-year-old woman was in custody Tuesday. Detectives found the little girl, named Priscilla, late Monday in a car seat abandoned beneath a condominium carport …

The U.S. Agency for International Development is hoping to kick start Iraq’s war-torn private sector with a $250,000 microfinance loan program for local entrepreneurs. The loans, which are capped at $5,000 each, are set to be offered to more than 600 small businesses in Baghdad, where the dismantling of the …

DURHAM, N.C. – A second stripper in a rape case that rocked the prestigious Duke University told police early in their investigation that the alleged victim’s allegations seemed untrue, according to court papers. The statement by Kim Roberts about a March 13 lacrosse team party was cited in a filing …

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two climbers were rescued Saturday by a National Guard helicopter crew after they were injured in a 500-foot fall near the top of Mount Hood. Aaron Dunlop, 31, of Newberg, and Jeremy Hawkins, 32, of Tigard, were in fair condition at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital …

WASHINGTON – U.S. construction spending unexpectedly dipped 0.1 percent in April, its first decline in 10 months, due to a sharp drop in outlays on residential building, a government report showed on Thursday. Construction spending declined to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.196 trillion in April from March’s record …

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WASHINGTON – The House on Wednesday rejected a bid to shut down President Bush’s plans to send man to Mars in coming decades, overcoming arguments that the idea is a waste of money in a tight budget climate. By a 259-163 vote, lawmakers rejected a move by Rep. Barney Frank, …

ATLANTA – Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements does not reduce the chances of developing breast cancer in a U.S. study of women’s health, according to findings released Monday, but some women may benefit and more study was needed to confirm the findings. “We can’t yet make a general recommendation …