30-mile pile a symbol of FEMA delays

A 30-mile scar of debris along the Texas coast stands as a festering testament to what state and local officials say is FEMA's sluggish response to the 2008 hurricane season.

AP: Feds ignored meltdown warnings

The Bush administration ignored remarkably prescient warnings that foretold the financial meltdown, according to an Associated Press review of regulatory documents.

India to Pakistan: Give up terror suspects

India demanded that Pakistan hand over suspected terrorists believed to be living in the country as diplomatic wrangling between the rivals intensified Tuesday following the deadly Mumbai attacks.

Rapport with Obama will be key for Clinton

Hillary Clinton's success as secretary of state may depend as much on Obama's willingness to admit her to his inner circle as her mastery of the job, officials say.

Governors press for stimulus bill by Inauguration

Facing severe cutbacks in state services as the recession deepens, the nation's governors pressed their case on Capitol Hill Monday, asking for at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and disabled.

Panel: Biological attack likely by 2013
The U.S. can expect a terrorist attack using nuclear or more likely biological weapons before 2013, reports a bipartisan commission in a study being briefed Tuesday to Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Pirates open fire on U.S. cruise liner

Pirates near Somalia chased and shot at a U.S. cruise liner with more than 1,000 people on board but failed to hijack the vessel, a maritime official said Tuesday.

Gloom returns to world markets

European stocks were little changed Tuesday as hopes of a modest rebound on Wall Street — following the previous day's savage retreat — helped offset an overnight slump in Asia.

Court ruling dissolves Thai government

A court dissolved Thailand's top three ruling parties for electoral fraud Tuesday and temporarily banned the prime minister from politics, bringing down the government.