Washington  - US authorities on Friday approved the 52- billion-dollar takeover of beer giant Anheuser-Busch by Belgian firm InBev.

Under the deal, InBev must give up its Labatt brand in the United States. The a Canadian brewed beer is popular in New York state and anti-trust regulators feared a lack of competition there, the US Justice Department said.

The takeover would create the world's largest brewer. InBev, producer of brands like Stella Artois and Beck's, while Anheuser- Busch brews Budweiser and Bud Light.

Washington  - Former presidential candidate and New York Senator Hillary Clinton has refused to address speculation that president-elect Barack Obama will tap her to become his top diplomat.

"I'm not going to speculate about the president-elect's incoming administration," Clinton told a gathering in New York, adding that any questions should be directed to Obama's transition team.

Washington  - US stocks dropped Friday, capping a dismal end to another volatile week, over concerns that a slump in retail sales revealed the extent of a looming recession.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 337.94 points, or 3.82 per cent, as investors grappled with the bleak outlook for consumer spending.

Washington  - The holiday season is fast approaching in many parts of the world, which means gift givers will soon be compiling their shopping lists. This year, though, the emphasis is likely to be on frugality - thanks to economies around the world that are weak and getting weaker. But never fear: Tech gifts are available in all price categories, and less expensive does not have to mean less interesting or less fun. In fact, searching for low-priced tech products that will make a big impact as gifts just might lead you to look at products that are too often overlooked. Read on for some ideas.

Washington  - Before getting down to serious business at the G20 summit in Washington, leaders of the world's 20 leading economies were celebrating Friday evening with a gourmet meal at the White House.

There's a financial emergency knocking at their doors and their national stock markets have shed more than one-third in value over the past tumultous year. But the G20 leaders are also marking a historic occasion: It's the first time ever that they've come together at the summit level, however hastily organized it was.