NYC rare stamp auction raises $3.2 million for Smithsonian Nat'l Postal Museum. A New York City gallery has auctioned over 200 rare postage stamps to raise $3.2 million for the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

Latin American art decorates the Big Apple, breaking down cultural stereotypes. The only art fair in the United States featuring works exclusively from Latin American artists is under way in New York and drawing artists, collectors and museum representatives from around the world to the PINTA art fair.

Increasing numbers of radical Islamic Web sites are spreading al-Qaida's message in English. Increasing numbers of English-language Web sites are spreading al-Qaida's message to Muslims in the West. They translate writings and sermons once largely out of reach of English readers and often feature charismatic clerics like Anwar al-Awlaki, who exchanged dozens of e-mails with the Army psychiatrist accused of the Fort Hood shootings.

Leonardo da Vinci exhibition of futuristic inventions opens in New York's Times Square. An interactive exhibit featuring life-size models of Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old inventions and machines is opening in New York City's Times Square.

NYC foot model sues upscale apartment co-op, claiming mistreatment after marrying doorman. A foot model in New York City is suing her upscale apartment building, claiming the co-op board is trying to force her out because she married its former doorman.

AP IMPACT: US distribution of swine flu vaccine is uneven, confusing; complaints abound. When the nation's swine flu vaccination program began in early October, health officials predicted it was going to be "messy." They were right.

US President Barack Obama is returning from an Asia tour lacking the fanfare of past trip to a set of persistent problems, including Afghanistan, unemployment and health care reform.

NYC rare stamp auction raises $3.2 million for Smithsonian Nat'l Postal Museum. A New York City gallery has auctioned over 200 rare postage stamps to raise $3.2 million for the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

AP IMPACT: As military academies seek diversity, urban lawmakers often make fewest nominations. As the nation's military academies try to recruit more minorities, they aren't getting much help from members of Congress from big-city districts with large numbers of blacks, Hispanics and Asians.

NYC foot model sues upscale apartment co-op, claiming mistreatment after marrying doorman. A foot model in New York City is suing her upscale apartment building, claiming the co-op board is trying to force her out because she married its former doorman.

NYC official: 98 percent of luggage scales at JFK, LaGuardia airports accurate. New York City officials say virtually all of the luggage scales at the city's two major airports are accurately calibrated.

Prison official: Man released after 17 years in prison on now-overturned NYC murder conviction. A prison system official says a New York City man is free after spending nearly two decades behind bars for murder before a judge declared him innocent.

Rudy Giuliani returns to the spotlight, but for what reason is anyone's guess. Whether he's planning another run for the White House or a bid for senator or governor, or he just misses the spotlight, Rudy Giuliani is suddenly back and talking about the topic that made him a national star ? Sept. 11.

JPMorgan Chase drops controversial arbitration clause from credit card contracts. JPMorgan Chase & Co. said Friday it is dropping a clause from its credit card contracts that required disputes with customers to be handled through binding arbitration, a move that could lead to consumers filing class-action and other lawsuits.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City and the state both want to cut expenses by trimming public employees but so far they are using different strategies.

Prominent Republicans on Sunday lashed out at the administration's decision to try five alleged plotters of the 9/11 attacks in a New York civilian court, saying it would harm efforts to fight terrorism.

Police responding to brawl at NYC sports bar shoot guard dead, wound 2nd man in doorway. Police say officers breaking up a brawl at a New York City bar shot one armed man dead and wounded another.

When Robin Webb lived in New York City, he was treated by HIV specialists and had access to counseling and nutritional programs. Now he lives in Mississippi, where few of those services exist.

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - British climber George Mallory famously said he wanted to climb Mount Everest because it was there.

Activists, medical community to Obama: More funding needed to fight AIDS in rural South. When Robin Webb lived in New York City, he was treated by HIV specialists and had access to counseling and nutritional programs. Now he lives in Mississippi, where few of those services exist.