The United States and China have agreed to try to redress imbalances in their economic relationship,, which saw China achieve a $200 billion trade surplus last year. Top-level officials met for the past two days in Beijing, and the two countries reaffirmed their common interest in maintaining a stable economic relationship. But, as Roger Wilkison reports for VOA, they did not commit to a timetable, or specific pledges as to how they would deal with the strains that bedevil it.

U.S. health officials say they believe lettuce may be the source of an E. coli outbreak among patrons of the Taco Bell fast-food chain in the northeastern United States.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has used his farewell address to caution the United States against sacrificing its ideals in the battle against terrorism. VOA's correspondent at the U.N., Peter Heinlein, reports, Mr. Annan spoke in the hometown of former U.S. President Harry Truman.

U.S. officials released a barrage of statements Monday prodding China to do more to reform its economy.

U.S. lawmakers have focused on two situations in Africa as they wind down their business in the 109th Congress .

Following a meeting with US Airways management on December 6, the leadership of the US Airways and
America West pilot groups have expressed significant concerns about the proposed merger with Delta Air Lines. The leaders point out that, by failing to integrate two pilot groups under one contract, US Airways management has not yet properly merged US Airways and America West, demonstrating little chance of completing the merger of a third airline.

The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced that it will provide $100,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in support of the Vietnam Red Cross, for emergency relief supplies to the areas most affected by Typhoon Durian (also known as Typhoon Reming).

A tragic fire that injured three people in North Dallas this morning may have been caused by improper use of a space heater.

A tragic fire that injured three people in North Dallas this morning may have been caused by improper use of a space heater.

Baxter International Inc. announced plans to withdraw the listing of its common stock from NYSE Arca, Inc., formerly the Pacific Exchange. Baxter's common stock will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as the Chicago and Swiss Stock Exchanges.

National Wine & Spirits, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, NWS-Illinois, LLC had completed the previously announced sale of substantially all of the assets of NWS-Illinois to Glazer's Distributors of Illinois, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glazer's Wholesale Drug Company, Inc. Certain assets were retained, including distribution rights for various beer brands.

Marmion Industries Corp announced that it has commenced work under its contract with JOA Construction, Ltd. of Houston, Texas to perform all HVAC work in connection with the construction of the DeBakey High School located in Houston, Texas. Per its terms, Marmion would receive up to $998,250 for this project upon successful completion. This amount does not include change orders, if any, during the course of the contract which could increase the total value of such contract.