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.

Trampled NY worker lacked crowd training
A worker trampled to death when customers stormed a Wal-Mart for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving had no experience in crowd control and was placed at the entrance because of his hulking frame, police and a lawyer said Monday.

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.

Carbon monoxide kills 11 girls at China school
Eleven girls died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a school in northern China's Shaanxi province, an education official said Tuesday evening. The girls had reportedly lit a fire to keep warm.

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.

Rice gives piano recital fit for a queen

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave a piano recital for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Governors to press Obama for shortfall help

The nation's governors are meeting with the President-elect today to press their case for at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and disabled and even more for infrastructure projects.

NYT: Pardon back in focus for Justice nominee

In the career of Eric H. Holder Jr., President-elect Barack Obama's attorney general choice, there is one notable blemish: Holder's role in the 2001 pardon of billionaire financier Marc Rich.

Bush faces historic pardon choice

Anticipation is growing over possible pardons by President  Bush. Conservative columnist William Kristol argues that the president should consider pardoning "everyone who served in good faith in the war on terror."