Stocks end trading day with modest losses
Caution returned to Wall Street Monday as investors gave back some gains from last week's rally even as they found some encouragement from a report on construction spending.

Obama eyeing big tax cut

President-elect Barack Obama met  with congressional leaders Monday, declaring the national economy was "bad and getting worse" and embracing tax cuts now expected to reach $300 billion.

Obama, CNN Twitter accounts hacked
Social networking tool Twitter was hit by a major hacker attack on Monday, with several "high profile" accounts — including that of President-elect Barack Obama — taken over by computer criminals, the company said.

Thai nightclub blaze toll hits 64
Thai police say the death toll in a New Year's Eve nightclub fire has reached 64 after two of those injured died.

5 killed in fire at Texas homeless shelter

Fire tore through a small-town homeless shelter early Monday, partially collapsing the building and killing five men, fire officials said.

Taliban claim 5,220 foreign troops killed
The Taliban has long exaggerated its military successes, but its figures for 2008 may be the militia's most startling claims yet.

Scribner to publish Laura Bush's memoir

The first lady is finally telling her side of the story. Laura Bush's memoir, which is expected to be published in 2010, will provide an intimate account of her eight years in the White House, revealing her recollections of personal and historical moments.

Waterford seeks bankruptcy protection
Waterford Wedgwood PLC, for centuries a name synonymous with luxury,  filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday after attempts to restructure the struggling business or find a buyer failed.

Premium tuna fetches $100,000 at auction

Two sushi bar owners paid more than $100,000 for a Japanese bluefin tuna at a Tokyo fish auction Monday, several times the average price and the highest in nearly a decade, market officials said.