Obama's picks for economic team confirmed
President-elect Barack Obama plans to name Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary and Lawrence Summers to direct the National Economic Council, transition officials said.

Democratic leaders want quick start in 2009

Eager for a quick start, Democratic congressional leaders intend to begin work in early January on priority legislation so it can be ready for President-elect Barack Obama's signature shortly after he takes office, according to officials familiar with the plans.

Army wife accused in arson that killed kids

An Army wife accused of setting her apartment on fire botched an attempt to collect on her husband's $400,000 insurance policy when he survived and her two children died instead, a federal prosecutor said.

Investor fear remains deep despite 1-day rally

Since the Nov. 4 election, investors have been abandoning stocks in a kind of slow-motion crash that experts say underlines just how anxious they are about what is likely to be a long and deep recession.

Iraq-U.S. pact under fire ahead of vote

Iraq's parliament will vote Wednesday on a proposed pact that would allow American troops to stay in Iraq for three more years.

Virtual audience appalls dead teen's dad

The father of a college student whose suicide was broadcast live on the Internet says he's appalled by the virtual audience that egged his son on.

Bank regulator played advocate not enforcer

In the parade of regulators that missed signals or made decisions they came to regret on the road to the current financial crisis, the Office of Thrift Supervision stands out.

Co-founder of Slinky company dies at 90
Betty James, who co-founded the company that made the Slinky and beat the odds as a single mother in the late 1950s to become a successful executive, has died. She was 90.

To save adopted girl, couple gives her up

Jennifer and Todd Hemsley had to give up their child to save her.