Jobless claims jump to 16-year high
New claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to a 16-year high, the Labor Department said Thursday, providing more evidence of a rapidly weakening job market.
U.S.: Raid kills militant blamed in GI death
An al-Qaida in Iraq leader blamed in the 2004 abduction and murder of an Army reservist and other deadly attacks was killed in an American raid in Baghdad, the U.S. military said Thursday.
Napolitano eyed for Homeland Security
An early Barack Obama supporter from the southwestern part of the country, the former Arizona attorney general is a leading contender for the job of secretary of homeland security.
Holder's ascent revives pardon furor
Eric Holder is in line for nomination by President-elect Barack Obama to the attorney general's job that Holder has long wanted, but a 2001 episode with fugitive financier Marc Rich is stirring partisan acrimony.
U.S. shifts its approach in Iraq
With violence down sharply this year, the U.S. military is broadening its efforts to reconcile Sunnis and Shiites.
Retirement dreams yield to despair
A rising number of people have seen their retirement plans evaporate. As 401(k)s dwindle, their dreams of golden years are being replaced by feelings of hopelessness and anger.
New BlackBerry is good iPhone challenger
Review: BlackBerry fans can rejoice: the Storm, Research In Motion's first all-touchscreen Blackberry will make even iPhone users salivate just a little bit over some of the features of this very slick and sophisticated smartphone.
Massive search for S. Pacific fishermen
The New Zealand air force searched for 29 fishermen Thursday after the charred remains of their boat was found abandoned near the South Pacific island nation of Kiribati.
Bush set to relax rules protecting species
Animals in danger of becoming extinct could lose the protection of government experts who make sure that dams and other projects don't pose a threat, under a regulation the Bush administration is set to put in place.
Oil hits 3-year low; gas at $2 in many states
Oil prices on hit levels not seen in more than three years and retail gas prices are now below $2 across nearly half of the country on dour reports suggesting an economic pullback.