More snow, ice vexes travelers in northern states

Hundreds of holiday travelers spent the night in the nation’s second busiest airport and others faced delayed or canceled flights and highways choked by snow and ice as storms kept up their assault on northern states. More snow fell Wednesday in the Midwest, where the National Weather Service said up to 4 inches was possible [...]

Tokyo Disneyland enjoys a recession boom

Sony and Toyota are struggling. Job cuts dominate the headlines. But one brand name is thriving in Japan amid the economic slowdown — Mickey Mouse. According to the company that runs Tokyo Disneyland, Japan’s busiest theme park will be more packed than ever over Christmas and New Year’s. Despite the bad economy, it’s already been [...]

Thousands celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem

Thousands of tourists and Palestinians are celebrating Christmas in Jesus’ traditional birthplace of Bethlehem. Celebrations began in Manger Square Wednesday and were expected to last all night long. The highlight is Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity. Jesus is believed to have been born there. Boy scout bands marched through town as a [...]

Obama heading to Hawaii for family vacation

President-elect Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters will spend the holidays in the Hawaiian islands, trading frozen Lake Michigan for warmer waters. They are planning a beachside vacation with friends at one of Oahu’s most exclusive properties. Obama last visited Hawaii in October to see his ailing grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham. Dunham [...]

More Americans stay home for the holidays

Travelers breezed through airport terminals Wednesday and drivers cruised open roads, the effects of a sour economy blamed for keeping people closer to home at the start of the annual Thanksgiving rush. Even though gas prices fell and airlines offered last-minute deals, many Americans appeared to be skipping trips this year. San Francisco resident Sharon [...]