The widely touted benefits of homeopathic drugs are merely placebo effects, a new study suggests. Clinical trials almost always show that patients given inactive sugar pills — placebos — do better than untreated patients. It’s called the placebo effect. Clinical trials of homeopathic remedies sometimes show that these treatments work …

ROMULUS, Mich. – A series of explosions rocked a Detroit-area chemical plant, causing a fire that sent plumes of black smoke into the air and prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes. Authorities said no injuries were reported, and no one was inside the plant when the fire started …

WASHINGTON – President Bush called newly appointed King Abdullah (search) of Saudi Arabia on Monday to express condolences over the death of King Fahd (search) and to congratulate Abdullah on his succession to the throne. White House spokesman Scott McClellan, who announced the phone call, said a U.S. delegation would …

PHILADELPHIA – Ashley Burg (search) left her tough city neighborhood in hopes of building a more stable life with a relative in suburban New Jersey, and earning a high school diploma. But the 17-year-old could not resist the lure of drugs and perhaps easy money, investigators believe, and her nearly …

SPACE CENTER, Houston – NASA (search) said Monday it will send out a spacewalking astronaut to fix two worrisome pieces of filler material protruding from Discovery’s belly — a high-stakes operation to repair a problem that could threaten the shuttle during re-entry. Engineers simply do not know enough about the …

This is a partial transcript from “The O’Reilly Factor,” August 29, 2005, that has been edited for clarity. Watch “The O’Reilly Factor” weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET and listen to the “Radio Factor!” BILL O’REILLY, HOST: In the “Impact” segment tonight, Katrina has hit the oil industry …

Suddenly, everyone’s talking about exchange-traded funds. Are they right for you? SUSAN BATES, 32, of Cleveland, has been investing in ETFs for about eight years. She says they have given her the broad exposure and diversification she wanted to achieve with technology and blue-chip stocks, without having to put in …

LONDON – Aaron Balick expected to find a tiny mouse rustling behind the TV in his apartment. Instead, he found a venomous giant centipede that somehow hitched a ride from South America (search) to Britain (search). “Thinking it was a mouse, I went to investigate the sound. The sound was …

Did you turn 70½ last year? Make sure you tap your IRA before April 1. ARE YOU AN IRA owner who turned 70 1/2 last year? If you haven’t already started tapping your traditional IRA, then April 15 isn’t the only IRS deadline you need to heed next month. You …

You expect clean clothes from your dry cleaner. But you could be the one who gets put through the wringer. 1. “We’ll take the shirt off your back — and not give it back.” Winter is nearly over, and you’re itching to swap your wool for shorts and T-shirts. But …