Wall Street points to moderately higher open as investors await retailer earnings reports
AP - 1 hour ago

NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street headed toward a higher open Tuesday, following a now-familiar pattern of snapping back after a huge selloff. Investors, while looking for bargains, were awaiting more news about the health of retailers and automakers.

• Seeking $25 billion in loans, Big Three automakers to send detailed plans to Congress
• Amid recession, automakers' November sales numbers expected to underscore industry's plight
• Court ruling brings down Thai government, bans prime minister from politics
• Saddam's notorious cousin 'Chemical Ali' al-Majid sentenced to death in Shiite crackdown

Coming soon to Blockbuster stores: concert tickets
AP - 1 hour ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Blockbuster Inc. will begin selling concert tickets at about 500 of its video rental stores, bolstering its effort to create a one-stop shop for entertainment.

• Former UCLA hospital worker admits selling records
• iTunes: Coldplay, Leona Lewis topped sales in 2008
• Piano for the queen: Condi Rice plays the Palace
• Bedroom Bach? YouTube starts a cyber symphony

Burress posts bail, will appear in court in March
AP - 2 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) - It was just 10 months ago that Plaxico Burress became an instant New York sports hero after his clutch performance in the Super Bowl. But on Monday, Burress was hauled out of a police precinct in handcuffs facing two weapons charges that could send him to jail.

• Williams, Slaton lead Texans past Jags 30-17
• AP NewsBreak: Armstrong to race in 2009 Tour
• Marbury's Knicks status "not resolved" in meeting
• Pierce's 17 points in 3rd helps Boston pull away.

Estranged relative arrested in Hudson killings
AP - 2 hours ago

CHICAGO (AP) - The arrest of Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law in the shooting deaths of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew confirmed what police officials have quietly said for weeks: that the 27-year-old convicted felon was the prime suspect in the slayings.

• Car plows into parade crowd in Texas; several hurt
• An elaborate FBI sting snares politicians in Mass.
• Mormon-owned press releasing Joseph Smith journals
• Parents: Slain anchorwoman was sexually assaulted

Thai government falls after court bans premier
AP - 8 minutes ago

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thailand's prime minister resigned on Tuesday after weeks of protests closed the capital's airports, stranding 300,000 travelers. Protesters promised to lift their siege, and international flights were expected to resume Friday.

• India demands Pakistan hand over terror suspects
• Pirates fire on US cruise ship in hijack attempt
• China says 300,000 babies sickened by tainted milk
• Israel buries victims of India attack

Sears suffers 3Q loss on weak US, Kmart sales
AP - 1 hour ago

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) - Sears Holdings Corp. said Tuesday hefty charges and weak results at its U.S. department stores and Kmart locations drove it to post a much wider-than-expected third-quarter loss, and the retailer withdrew its operating profit outlook due to the severe economic downturn.

• Stocks point to higher open after big drop
• British Airways in merger talks with Qantas
• Beazer Homes 4Q loss balloons as revenue plunges
• GE expects to hit low-end of 4Q guidance

Retailers offer deals, discounts on 'Cyber Monday'
AP - 16 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) - Retailers who saw Thanksgiving holiday sales drop off as the weekend progressed stepped up online promotions on the day known as "Cyber Monday" to try to get consumers tired of the crowds at stores to keep shopping.

• Fuel-cell powered devices getting closer
• Regulators hang up on cell tower backup rules
• Clearwire to market WiMax under "Clear" brand
• Shoppers cautious with gadget buys on Black Friday

Rove: Obama security team represents continuity
AP - 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's former political director says the national security team named by President-elect Barack Obama "represents, to a substantial degree, continuity" especially in hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Obama taps Clinton, Gates for US 'new dawn' abroad
• Obama from change agent to pragmatist
• Clinton's India ties may complicate Obama policy
• Palin urges Ga. voters to back Chambliss in runoff

Search for ivory-billed woodpecker to begin anew
AP - 4 hours ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Last year, Allan Mueller thinks he saw the elusive ivory-billed woodpecker. The wildlife biologist wants to make sure of it this winter.

• Dirty teeth reveal ancient diet
• Space shuttle glides to safe landing in California
• Food crunch opens doors to bioengineered crops
• Mandates driving surge to the river for hydropower

1 in 5 young adults has personality disorder
AP - 2 hours ago

CHICAGO (AP) - Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported Monday in the most extensive study of its kind.

• Patient photos aid docs reading faceless CT scans
• Depression leads to internal fat in 70-somethings
• Asthma inhalers to go 'green' on Dec. 31
• China: 6 babies may have died from tainted milk