They clutter your dresser and cost too much to make. They're a nuisance and have outlived their purpose.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was talking about the Canadian penny and why the Royal Canadian Mint will end its production this fall as part of his austerity budget.

Eight people have been arrested for allegedly killing two 10-year-old boys and a 55-year-old woman in ritual sacrifices by the cult of La Santa Muerte, or Saint Death, prosecutors in northern Mexico said Friday.

Jose Larrinaga, spokesman for Sonora state prosecutors, said the victims' blood was poured around an altar to the saint, which is depicted as a skeleton holding a scythe and clothed in flowing robes.

South Korean officials said Saturday that they will continue working with the U.S. to reduce oil imports from Iran after President Barack Obama greenlighted potential sanctions against countries that continue to buy Iranian oil.

South Korea is one of several major importers of Iranian oil that have not received exemptions from the U.S. sanctions.

Long before he became a salsa sensation, Marc Anthony listened to the likes of Lionel Richie. Now he'll honor the pop legend as part of the Academy of Country Music's tribute to Richie.

This week, Richie released a collection of his classics performed with top country acts, and is set to appear at Sunday's ACM Awards. The next day, he'll be feted at an all-star concert.

A cruise ship with about 1,000 people on board was drifting in waters south of the Philippines after a fire disabled its engines, the Philippine coast guard said Saturday. Five crew members were injured.

The fire on the Azamara Quest started late Friday, a day after the ship left Manila for Sandakan, Malaysia, and was immediately put out, said coast guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente. He said there were no other details about the incident.

A 10-man medical commission will meet Monday to determine if Italy forward Antonio Cassano can begin playing again following minor heart surgery.

Cassano's club AC Milan announced that it asked the Italian Sports Medicine Federation to gather a panel of experts to analyze the striker's condition.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger got a three-match touchline ban from UEFA on Friday for comments directed at the referee after his team's Champions League elimination this month.

UEFA said its disciplinary panel found Wenger guilty of "improper conduct," and fined him €40,000 ($53,000).

China said Friday that rebels fighting in Syria had to commit to talks and stop attacks they have been carrying out, mirroring demands from embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad.

A peace plan put forward by U.N. envoy Kofi Annan includes a call for a full cease-fire, but Assad's condition that there be an express promise from the opposition to stop attacks could complicate Annan's attempts to bring an end to more than a year of violence that the U.N. says has killed more than 9,000 people.

An Afghan policeman killed nine of his fellow officers as they lay sleeping in a village in the eastern Paktika province on Friday, police said, blaming the attack on the Taliban.

Provincial police chief Dawlat Khan Zadran said the incident took place in Yayakhil town of Yayakhil district.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes says he has doubts over whether Kaka can force his way into the 2014 World Cup team, putting the onus on the Real Madrid player to prove he is worthy of a spot.

Menezes told Brazilian channel SporTV on Thursday that he thinks Kaka could be key for Brazil in the World Cup, but said "next season will tell if Kaka can still play for Brazil in a World Cup. We all have doubts."