CHICAGO – Roger Clemens (search) has had more farewell seasons than the Houston Astros (search) and Chicago White Sox (search) have World Series titles. He’s won more awards than every other player on both rosters combined. And on Saturday night, the 43-year-old Rocket starts for the Astros in his hometown …

WASHINGTON – Liver transplants seem to be curing about a dozen children of a rare disease so unforgiving that the slightest dietary misstep can prove brain-damaging or even fatal. Now instead of a life of fear with every bite of a strict low-protein diet (search), these patients with maple syrup …

AURORA, Ill. – A 28-year-old man was being questioned in the deaths of four family members, whose bodies were found in an upscale suburban neighborhood that boasts round-the-clock security patrols and sprawling homes. The man, who was not identified, was picked up Friday near Portage, Wis., about 175 miles from …

This week, Gail explains how to calculate the tax credit you’ll get by making your home more energy-efficient. Hi, Gail — I read your recent article about the new law that gives you tax breaks for making your home more energy efficient and replacing older appliances with ones that use …

WASHINGTON – After nearly 100 years of depicting presidents in somber profiles on the nation’s coins, the Mint is trying something different: The new nickel features Thomas Jefferson (search), facing forward, with the hint of a smile. “It isn’t a silly smile or a smirk, but a sense of optimism …

NEW YORK – A divided state appeals court ruled Thursday that a man cannot sue a Manhattan hospital for malpractice (search) in the death of his longtime partner, saying it could not provide tacit approval of same-sex marriages. The court overturned a judge’s 2003 decision that John Langan, of Vermont, …

NEW YORK – A Family Court judge granted temporary custody to maternal relatives of a 4-year-old girl who stole the hearts of New Yorkers and Bolivians when she was found wandering the streets barefoot after her mother’s alleged slaying. Valery Belen Saavedra Lozada — pigtailed, chubby-cheeked and precocious — is …

PARIS – A former French U.N. ambassador who also served as a special adviser to Secretary-General Kofi Annan (search) appeared before a French judge Wednesday on charges of influence peddling and corruption of foreign officials. The charges against Jean-Bernard Merimee (search) are part of France’s investigation into the U.N.’s Oil-for-Food …

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Talk about early: More than four months before the Oscars, a slew of movie stars kicked off the movie-award season by gathering for the Hollywood Awards (search). “It seems to be the basic principle of this award is that you give it to a movie you …

WASHINGTON – Senior military commanders said Sunday that Iraqi security forces are improving significantly as U.S. officials stood by earlier assessments that some U.S. forces could return home early next year. The generals played down the fact that the number of top-level battalions of Iraqi soldiers — those ready to …