Prayer for laid-off workers: 'Calm my soul'
The Church of England published a prayer Tuesday to help comfort Britons who lose their jobs in the financial crisis.

Pending home sales hit record low

Pending sales of existing U.S. homes dropped to a seven-year low in November, data showed on Tuesday.

Iran lurks behind Gaza conflict

Israel's fight with Hamas in Gaza, like the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon two years ago, is a broader proxy battle between Western allies and Iran for the very future of the Middle East.

Toyota to suspend car production in Japan

Toyota is suspending production at all 12 of its Japan plants for 11 days over February and March as it grapples with shrinking global demand.

Phillies reliever suspended 50 games for drug

Phillies reliever J.C. Romero and Yankees minor league pitcher Sergio Mitre were suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance.

Congress, Obama gird to fight slump

The House and Senate have convened for a new Congress that will immediately confront the country's struggling economy.

Obama: No pork in stimulus bill

President-elect Barack Obama says he will bar pork-barrel projects from the massive economic stimulus bill he wants Congress to pass.

New appeal in $54 million pants case
A former U.S. judge who unsuccessfully sued his South Korean immigrant dry cleaners for $54 million over a lost pair of pants is not giving up.

Onboard innovators: In pursuit of pain-free flying

While most of us tend to sigh and suffer our frustrating flying moments silently, a few intrepid travelers have managed to turn those moments into marketable products.

Aw, snap! It's Colbert & Colmes — for a day

Jettisoned by his longtime co-host Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes was adopted by Stephen Colbert — for a day, at least. "The Colbert Report" anchor introduced the Fox News commentator as his new co-host, but later turned him into a bat.