This holiday season Nintendo faces a critical test with its Wii U video game console that is pitted against Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One as it seeks to revive flagging sales.

Analysts say there's a chance for the Kyoto-based company to stage a turnaround as new game releases such as Super Mario 3D World and Wii Fit U could lift Wii U sales. Should lackluster sales persist, the company which shot to prominence in the 1980s with Family Computer consoles and Game Boy portables might be forced to reconsider the core of its business strategy.

Many older adults with high blood pressure can be treated less aggressively, which could mean taking fewer pills to get it under control, according to new treatment guidelines from a U.S. expert panel. But not all experts are on board with the advice — including the federal agency that appointed the group.

Panel members stressed that they are not changing the definition of high blood pressure: 140 over 90. For adults aged 60 and older, they are recommending a higher treatment threshold, prescribing medicine only when blood pressure levels reach 150 over 90 or higher.

Beyonce's new album was so secret, one of its producers only knew of its release 90 minutes before it dropped.

Beyonce released her self-titled album in surprise form last week. Ryan Tedder produced the single "XO," and he learned about the release not long before it went public.

It was a year for pixie haircuts, chunky flat shoes, bangs on our first lady and bare skin ... lots of it, on movie actresses and pop stars. Fashion always has its royalty, and this year, Kerry Washington was a queen. For real royalty, we hadKate Middleton, making the rest of us mortals feel a little better by flashing her mommy tummy. If Kate made us feel good, Lululemon didn't, when its chairman appeared to blame women's own bodies for problems with those popular yoga pants. A look back at these and other key fashion moments of 2013:

MICHELLE'S BANGS:

The U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution aimed at protecting the right to privacy against unlawful surveillance in the digital age on Wednesday in the most vocal global criticism of U.S. eavesdropping.

Germany and Brazil introduced the resolution following a series of reports of U.S. surveillance, interception, and data collection abroad — including on Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and German Chancellor Angela Merkel — that surprised and angered friends and allies.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid advanced to the Copa del Rey's round of 16 after dispensing with third-division opponents on Wednesday.

Five-time cup winner Sevilla became the night's only topflight team to be upset by a lower-division team when third-tier Racing Santander won 2-0 in Seville to overturn a 1-0 first-leg loss.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" actress Zhang Ziyi has reached an undisclosed settlement with a U.S.-based dissident news website that she sued for libel after it published reports that she was paid to have sex with Chinese government officials.

Boxun News retracted its "negative and untrue" reports that began in May 2012 in an apology displayed on its English-language site on Wednesday.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has accepted a charge from the English Football Association for making an abusive gesture towards fans during a Premier League match but will contest an expected two-match ban.

The England international raised his middle finger toward Manchester City supporters during Saturday's game at Etihad Stadium, which Arsenal lost 6-3.

European finance ministers appear to have made a breakthrough in their long-standing efforts to deal with failing banks. But other tough issues remain to be resolved in discussions Wednesday.

An agreement will help bolster efforts to complete a proposed banking union that officials hope will boost confidence in the sector and prevent bank failures from threatening the financial health of governments. One of the reasons why Europe got into such a big financial mess was that governments had to step in to save their banks when the financial crisis first exploded in 2007-8.

Bayern Munich closed in on its fifth trophy of 2013 by brushing aside Guangzhou Evergrande 3-0 Tuesday to reach the Club World Cup final.

Franck Ribery and Mario Mandzukic scored first-half goals to break open the Asian champion's disciplined defense, and the Germans never relented as Mario Goetze added the third in the second half.