Top headlines:
Senator: Ash spill shows need for rules: The federal government must adopt standards to prevent future toxic ash spills like last month's billion-gallon disaster in Tennessee, a key Senate Democrat said Thursday. ›19:34
Even guys cuddle their sweethearts' clothing: As many as three-quarters of women and two-thirds of men say they snuggle with shirts and other clothing worn by someone dear, but not near, researchers reported. ›13:04 7 Jan, Wed
Lawyer gets 5-cent IRS bill, 4-cent refund: James Howarth is a little confused by two letters he has received from the Internal Revenue Service. ›17:31 3 Jan, Sat
Mortgage rates fall to record low again: Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to a record level for a fourth straight week, dropping to the lowest mark since Freddie Mac started tracking the data nearly 28 years ago. ›18:10 31 Dec, Wed
Racism: What we say doesn't match what we do: Think you wouldn't tolerate a racist act? Think again, says a surprising experiment that exposed some college students to one and found indifference at best. ›20:44
N.Y. adopts tough clean air rules: New York environmental regulators adopted stricter air pollution rules on Tuesday to prevent power plants and factories from belching out more smog and soot. ›22:46 7 Jan, Wed
Winners in Madoff case face hard choices: The many Bernard Madoff investors who withdrew money from their accounts over the years are now wrestling with an ethical and legal quandary. ›23:47
Consumer borrowing plunged in November: Consumers cut back on their borrowing by a record amount in dollar terms in November, another sign of trouble for the rapidly weakening economy. ›21:59
Shape up in '09 with a month of fitness tips: If you've resolved to give yourself a tune-up in 2009 or more like a full-body makeover we've got lots of expert advice to help you reach your get-fit goals. ›16:05 1 Jan, Thu
When it comes to breasts, three's a crowd: Up to 6 percent of the population is thought to have an extra breast or nipple. ›23:55 29 Dec, Mon
New Botox rival may cost less, work faster: There's a new wrinkle in injectable skin treatments: Reloxin, which some say is as safe as Botox, but may take effect faster and last longer. Reloxin is expected to receive FDA approval shortly and it could cost less than Botox. ›16:17
Afghanistan detainees want to sue for freedom: A U.S. judge on Wednesday questioned whether four men seeking to challenge their detention as terror suspects at a U.S. base in Afghanistan were likely to take to the battlefield if released. ›22:42 7 Jan, Wed
Madoff said to have stashed $173 million: Prosecutors say Bernard Madoff had $173 million in signed checks in his office desk that he was ready to send out at the time of his arrest last month. ›00:43 9 Jan, Fri
2 die during climb on Argentine peak: An Italian climber and an Argentine guide both died when a storm trapped five mountaineers just below the summit of the highest peak in the Americas, an Italian diplomat said Thursday. ›02:37 9 Jan, Fri
Critics suggest reeling Chrysler is a lost cause: Even by the standards of battered automakers, Chrysler is in dire shape. ›22:34
On a tight budget? Apply to Harvard: The nation's top colleges have gotten to be so expensive that only the wealthiest families can possibly afford them, especially during bleak economic times like these. Right? Not necessarily. A new report shows that such schools might not be as costly as you think. ›14:50
Glacier chunk crushes 2 Australian tourists: A falling chunk of glacier crushed two brothers to death at a popular New Zealand tourist spot, and one remained buried under ice blocks the size of large vehicles, police said Friday. ›22:44
How to get rich from your Big Idea: In his new book, Donny Deutsch, the host of CNBC's "The Big Idea," shares what he's learned from his own life experiences and from the experiences of his guests to help guide you to creating your own enterprise. An excerpt. ›14:32 7 Jan, Wed
Twins born on separate days, months, years: They're twins, all right, despite what their spanking new birth certificates say. ›22:58 2 Jan, Fri
U.K. slashes interest rates to historic low: The Bank of England cut official interest rates by a half a percentage point to 1.5 percent on Thursday, the lowest level in its 315-year history. ›16:49
Sexy snowboards get chilly reception: Emblazoned with Playboy models from the 1970s and garish images of self-mutilation, two edgy new lines of snowboards have many hot under the collar despite winters chill. ›22:26
EU, Russia strike deal on monitoring gas flow: The European Union said Thursday that gas supplies should restart after it struck a deal with Russia on supervising the flow of gas through Ukraine. ›02:23 9 Jan, Fri
Palm announces 'Pre,' new OS: Palm Thursday unveiled the "Pre" smartphone, more similar to an iPhone than a Treo in looks, and a new operating system called Palm WebOS, with hopes that both will keep the venerable but struggling company in the smartphone race. ›21:45
Fire survivor: Lou the mule saved me: Jolene Solomon is beginning the new year with her life, her mule named Lou and little else. She says Lou's braying alerted to a fire that consumed her house but she escaped unharmed. ›03:31 7 Jan, Wed
