TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan sank into recession in the third quarter, even before it felt the full force of the financial crisis, and world leaders at a weekend summit gave investors little hope they could rescue the global economy.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Thousands of Southern Californians returned home to find their houses burned to the ground, or miraculously intact on Monday, after a wind-whipped weekend firestorm swept through bone-dry canyons and hillsides.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed.

ATLANTA (Reuters) - As Congress debates legislation to help struggling automakers on Monday, many Americans said they were uneasy with the plan, arguing that while it may save jobs, it would reward companies for pursuing bad business practices.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Psychological group therapy for women with breast cancer may help them not only to cope better with their disease but also live longer, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

AP - Asian stock markets were narrowly mixed Monday as confirmation Japan had slipped into recession emphasized the gloomy outlook for the world economy.

Reuters - Thousands of Southern Californians returned home to find their houses burned to the ground, or miraculously intact on Monday, after a wind-whipped weekend firestorm swept through bone-dry canyons and hillsides.

Reuters - The U.S. economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed.

Reuters - As Congress debates legislation to help struggling automakers on Monday, many Americans said they were uneasy with the plan, arguing that while it may save jobs, it would reward companies for pursuing bad business practices.

Reuters - Psychological group therapy for women with breast cancer may help them not only to cope better with their disease but also live longer, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

AFP - A trial into the killing of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya opens on Monday in a military court in Moscow, with supporters of the Kremlin critic fearing it will shed little light on the case.

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents said on Monday they were drawing up a response to an offer from President Hamid Karzai of safe passage for insurgent leaders who wanted to talk peace.

AP - Asian markets were mixed Monday as confirmation Japan has slipped into recession emphasized the gloomy outlook for the world economy.

AP - Astronauts aboard the international space station and the newly arrived shuttle Endeavour planned Monday to start unpacking a new toilet and a contraption that purifies urine and sweat into drinkable water at the orbiting outpost.

Reuters - Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents said on Monday they were drawing up a response to an offer from President Hamid Karzai of safe passage for insurgent leaders who wanted to talk peace.

AFP - French authorities said Monday they had captured the suspected military chief of the Basque separatist group ETA, Miguel De Garikoitz Aspiazu Rubina, alias 'Txeroki', dealing the group a major blow.

LONDON (Reuters) - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession Monday with France close behind, and the IMF said it needed at least $100 billion to fight the billowing economic crisis enveloping the world.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari and U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker signed a long-awaited accord on Monday requiring Washington to withdraw its forces within three years.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday it would not hinder any Turkish bid to mediate between the Islamic Republic and the new U.S. administration but cautioned that its differences with Washington were deep-rooted.

AP - Firefighters aided by Mother Nature continued to make gains early Monday on three raging wildfires that reduced hundreds of homes to ash and cinders and forced thousands of residents to flee in Southern California.

AP - Once campaign rivals, President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain are ready to talk about how they can collaborate on issues facing the country.

AP - European stock markets traded modestly lower Monday following a mixed performance in Asia as investors pored over the results of world leaders's summit in Washington to discuss reform of the stricken global financial system.

AP - Analysts, investors and media around Asia expressed concern Monday that a weekend summit of world leaders aimed at tackling the global financial crisis — and preventing future debacles — was high on symbolism but low on action.

AP - Carson Daly chatted with Eminem, Beyonce gave a show-stopping performance, girls shrieked at the sight of Justin Timberlake and hundreds of fans lined up outside in Times Square for a glimpse at superstars.

AP - Make no mistake, Tony Romo's return hardly transformed the Dallas Cowboys into an offensive juggernaut.

Reuters - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession Monday with France close behind, and the IMF said it needed at least $100 billion to fight the billowing economic crisis enveloping the world.

Reuters - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari and U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker signed a long-awaited accord on Monday requiring Washington to withdraw its forces within three years.

Reuters - Iran said on Monday it would not hinder any Turkish bid to mediate between the Islamic Republic and the new U.S. administration but cautioned that its differences with Washington were deep-rooted.

AFP - French police seized the accused military chief of ETA in a pre-dawn raid Monday, officials said, capturing the most wanted Basque militant still at large only six months after holding the separatist group's presumed leader.

LONDON (Reuters) - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession on Monday with France close behind, and the IMF said it needed at least $100 billion to fight an economic crisis enveloping the world.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Fewer U.S. shoppers plan to use credit cards to buy gifts this holiday season and the majority of them have yet to complete their gift buying, according to a new survey from the world's largest retail trade association.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Before he was elected as the incoming U.S. president, Barack Obama spelled out his goals for change at seven government agencies in letters to federal workers, the Washington Post reported on Monday.

KABUL (Reuters) - A Taliban militant leader rejected Monday an offer from Afghan President Hamid Karzai of safe passage for insurgent leaders who wanted to talk peace.

AP - The Bush White House stressed Monday that it supports help for the struggling auto industry, but believes it should not be taken from the $700 billion financial system rescue program.

AP - The country is sinking deeper into the economic doldrums, and it's likely to stay there for a while.

AP - With the global economy threatening to slip into a prolonged recession, world leaders have come up with a lengthy action plan they hope will bolster badly shaken investors' confidence.

AP - Before he ran for president Barack Obama quit smoking. Now that he's won the job, he may have to break another addiction: Checking his BlackBerry for e-mail.

AP - The Jacksonville Jaguars came off the field at halftime thrilled with a 14-3 lead over the undefeated Tennessee Titans. Playing a team that had won nine straight, though, called for more than a half's worth of effort. Kerry Collins threw three touchdown passes, Albert Haynesworth dominated defensively again and the visiting Titans improved to 10-0 with a 24-14 victory over the Jaguars on Sunday.

Reuters - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession on Monday with France close behind, and the IMF said it needed at least $100 billion to fight an economic crisis enveloping the world.

Reuters - The U.S. economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed.

Reuters - Fewer U.S. shoppers plan to use credit cards to buy gifts this holiday season and the majority of them have yet to complete their gift buying, according to a new survey from the world's largest retail trade association.

Reuters - Before he was elected as the incoming U.S. president, Barack Obama spelled out his goals for change at seven government agencies in letters to federal workers, the Washington Post reported on Monday.

AFP - Japan became the latest major country to fall into recession Monday as global economic fears deepened after a Washington summit offered markets scant hope for action to contain the damage, analysts said.

LONDON (Reuters) - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession on Monday with France close behind, and the IMF said it needed at least $100 billion to fight an economic crisis enveloping the world.

ATLANTA (Reuters) - The election of the first black president in U.S. history should send a powerful signal to young black Americans: If Barack Obama made it, so can you.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO reaffirmed on Monday its backing for a planned U.S. missile shield in Europe after French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it would bring no extra security on the continent.

AP - Citigroup Inc. is cutting approximately 53,000 more jobs in the coming quarters as the banking giant struggles to steady itself after suffering massive losses from deteriorating debt.

AP - Carson Daly chatted with Eminem, Beyonce gave a show-stopping performance, girls shrieked at the sight of Justin Timberlake and hundreds of fans lined up outside in Times Square for a glimpse at superstars.

Reuters - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession on Monday with France close behind, and the IMF said it needed at least $100 billion to fight an economic crisis enveloping the world.

Reuters - The election of the first black president in U.S. history should send a powerful signal to young black Americans: If Barack Obama made it, so can you.

AFP - Citigroup said Monday it would cut up to 50,000 jobs worldwide as the US banking giant struggles with the global financial crisis and four consecutive quarters of heavy losses.

AFP - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the Basque separatist group ETA had been dealt a 'decisive' blow with the arrest of its suspected military chief Monday.

LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Japan on Monday became the latest major economy to fall into recession, with France close behind, and U.S. stocks followed world markets lower after Citigroup said it would cut 50,000 jobs, adding to worries the slump may deepen further.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Winds eased on Monday but high temperatures continue to pose challenges for firefighters in Southern California, where wildfires have charred more than 55 square miles (142 sq km) and destroyed around 1,000 homes.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. economy fell into recession last spring and will contract sharply this quarter as more than 200,000 workers per month are added to the rolls of the unemployed, a survey said on Monday.

AP - Citigroup Inc. is shedding approximately 53,000 more employees in the coming quarters as the banking giant struggles to steady itself after suffering massive losses from deteriorating debt.

AP - With Congress returning Monday to deal with an auto industry in dire financial straits, the Bush White House stressed that it supports help, but not at the expense of the $700 billion Wall Street rescue program.

AP - If breast cancer runs in the family, women can be at high risk even if they test free of the disease's most common gene mutations, sobering new research shows.

AP - Baseball's postseason award season returns after a three-day break with today's naming of the National League's Most Valuable Player at 2 p.m. EST.

Reuters - Japan on Monday became the latest major economy to fall into recession, with France close behind, and U.S. stocks followed world markets lower after Citigroup said it would cut 50,000 jobs, adding to worries the slump may deepen further.

Reuters - Winds eased on Monday but high temperatures continue to pose challenges for firefighters in Southern California, where wildfires have charred more than 55 square miles (142 sq km) and destroyed around 1,000 homes.

Reuters - The U.S. economy fell into recession last spring and will contract sharply this quarter as more than 200,000 workers per month are added to the rolls of the unemployed, a survey said on Monday.

AFP - Citigroup announced Monday it was slashing 50,000 jobs worldwide as the US banking giant tightens its belt further to cope with a global financial crisis and heavy losses.

AFP - French police arrested ETA's alleged military chief on Monday, the most wanted Basque separatist still at large and a man Spanish officials branded a 'bloodthirsty terrorist.'

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. economy fell into a recession last spring and will contract sharply this quarter as more than 200,000 workers per month are added to the rolls of the unemployed, a survey said on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will give leading Democrats in Congress on Monday an update on how the $700 billion financial bailout bill is working, congressional aides said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession on Monday and Citigroup said it would cut 52,000 jobs, one of the largest layoffs in history, adding to worries the global economic slump may deepen.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama and vanquished rival John McCain met for the first time since the November 4 election on Monday, pledging to work together to face the financial crisis and other national challenges.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team, was charged with insider trading in shares of Mamma.com Inc, an Internet search engine firm, the Securities and Exchange Commission said on Monday.

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan denied on Monday a U.S. media report that it had given tacit approval to the United States to carry out missile strikes by pilotless drones against al Qaeda and Taliban targets on its soil.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed.

AP - The Bush administration has told top lawmakers it does not plan to use at least half of the $700 billion bailout fund that Congress approved this fall to aid the financial industry, congressional officials said Monday.

AP - Anxious residents of a Los Angeles mobile home park are being allowed to inspect their properties for the first time since a wildfire destroyed 484 homes in the area.

AP - The bitter general election campaign behind them, President-elect Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain met Monday to discuss ways to work together in the future.

AP - Federal regulators on Monday charged Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with insider trading for allegedly using confidential information on a stock sale to avoid more than $750,000 in losses.

Reuters - The U.S. economy fell into a recession last spring and will contract sharply this quarter as more than 200,000 workers per month are added to the rolls of the unemployed, a survey said on Monday.

Reuters - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will give leading Democrats in Congress on Monday an update on how the $700 billion financial bailout bill is working, congressional aides said.

Reuters - Japan became the latest major economy to fall into recession on Monday and Citigroup said it would cut 52,000 jobs, one of the largest layoffs in history, adding to worries the global economic slump may deepen.

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama and vanquished rival John McCain met for the first time since the November 4 election on Monday, pledging to work together to face the financial crisis and other national challenges.

Reuters - Pakistan denied on Monday a U.S. media report that it had given tacit approval to the United States to carry out missile strikes by pilotless drones against al Qaeda and Taliban targets on its soil.

Reuters - The U.S. economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and vanquished rival John McCain met for the first time since the November 4 election on Monday, pledging to work together to face the financial crisis and other national challenges.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A report released Monday concluded that 'Gulf War Syndrome' is a legitimate condition suffered by more than 175,000 U.S. war veterans who were exposed to chemical toxins in the 1991 Gulf War.

AP - Prospects dimmed Monday for enactment of a $25 billion bailout for the faltering auto industry before year's end, as congressional Democrats and the Bush administration headed for a stalemate over the plan. Help for Detroit's Big Three, which have been battered by the economic meltdown that has choked their sales and frozen credit, is falling victim to a partisan fight over where the money should come from.

AP - The bitter general election campaign behind them, President-elect Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain met Monday to discuss ways to reduce government waste, promote bipartisanship and find other ways to improve government.

AP - The outgoing Bush administration has told top lawmakers it does not plan to use at least half of the $700 billion bailout fund that Congress approved this fall to aid the financial industry, congressional officials said Monday. The Treasury Department denied the claim, but stopped short of saying the funds would be tapped.

AP - The U.S.-Iraqi security pact now before parliament calls for U.S. forces to leave Iraq's cities by June 30 in recognition of an improved security climate, but the deadline poses a key test for Iraqi forces in places like Baghdad and the northern city of Mosul where attacks still occur daily.

AP - Some 60 new faces, the freshman class of the next Congress, converged on the Capitol Monday to catch a glimpse of the final moments of the current Congress, bickering to the bitter end.

AP - A woman accused of helping her religious leader hide a decaying corpse on her toilet so they could continue collecting her Social Security was convicted of a misdemeanor in a deal for her to testify against the leader, a prosecutor said Monday.

AP - Veterinarians carried out a rare blood transfusion in an attempt to save a 7-month-old wild tiger that had been attacked and beaten by angry villagers in central India. The female cub received the emergency treatment late Sunday after blood taken from captive adults was airlifted to the zoo where the cub is being cared for, said Bimal Majumdar, the chief wildlife officer in the region.

AP - Prosecutors in Santa Barbara have charged Heather Locklear with misdemeanor driving under the influence, citing prescription drugs. The California Highway Patrol said the actress showed 'obvious impairment' when an officer noticed her car parked on a highway and blocking a lane in Montecito in September, but that alcohol was ruled out.

AP - A man who shed 140 pounds to join the Marines is headed to Parris Island, S.C., to begin boot camp. Topping out at 330 pounds, Ulysses Milana was rejected by Army and Navy recruiters. But Marine recruiters worked with him as he lost about 20 pounds a month.

AP - St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols won his second NL MVP award, powering past Philadelphia star Ryan Howard by a comfortable margin Monday. Pujols hit .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs while playing with a sore right elbow. He was rewarded despite the Cardinals' fourth-place finish in the NL Central.

Reuters - A report released Monday concluded that 'Gulf War Syndrome' is a legitimate condition suffered by more than 175,000 U.S. war veterans who were exposed to chemical toxins in the 1991 Gulf War.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke came to Capitol Hill on Monday to field questions from leading Democrats on how the $700 billion financial bailout bill is working.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Monday on concerns of an accelerating global slowdown after Japan's surprise news it had fallen into recession and Citigroup Inc, the No. 2 U.S. bank, said it would cut 52,000 jobs, far more than had been expected.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House and congressional Democrats launched a post-election showdown on Monday over how to rescue U.S. automakers with millions of jobs, more than a century of iconic brands, and potentially economic confidence, riding on the outcome.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A report released on Monday concluded that Gulf War syndrome is a legitimate illness suffered by more than 175,000 U.S. war veterans who were exposed to chemical toxins in the 1991 Gulf War.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Shocked residents began returning home on Monday to three areas of Southern California ravaged by wildfires, some finding their houses and cars reduced to piles of smoking, melted rubble.

LONDON (Reuters) - A 4,600-year-old grave in Germany containing the remains of two adults and their children provides the earliest evidence that even prehistoric tribes attached importance to the family unit, researchers said on Monday.

AP - Prospects dimmed Monday for enactment of a $25 billion bailout for the faltering auto industry before year's end, as congressional Democrats and the Bush administration seemed headed for a stalemate. Help for Detroit's Big Three, which have been battered by the economic meltdown that has choked their sales and frozen their credit, is falling victim to a partisan fight over where the money should come from.

AP - President-elect Barack Obama and former Republican rival John McCain pledged Monday to work together on ways to change Washington's 'bad habits,' though aides to both men said it was unlikely McCain would serve in an Obama Cabinet. The two men met in Obama's transition headquarters in Chicago for the first time since the Illinois senator vanquished McCain in the presidential election Nov. 4.

AP - Barack Obama's incoming administration is unlikely to bring criminal charges against government workers who authorized or used harsh interrogation techniques during the George W. Bush presidency. Obama, who has criticized the use of torture, is being urged by some constitutional scholars and humans rights groups to investigate possible war crimes by the Bush administration.

AP - In a dramatic escalation of high seas crime, Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi supertanker loaded with crude hundreds of miles off the coast of East Africa — defeating the security web of warships trying to protect vital shipping lanes.

AP - Nebraska legislators opened a public hearing Monday on adding an age limit to a safe-haven law that has allowed nearly three dozen children — some close to adulthood — to be abandoned at hospitals.

AP - A former NFL cheerleader and winner of 'The Bachelor' is out of jail after being arrested in a southwest border-town bar for unruly behavior. Mary Delgado, who accepted a televised proposal from professional bass fisherman Byron Velvick on 2004's 'The Bachelor,' was arrested in Del Rio after refusing to leave a local bar.

Reuters - U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke came to Capitol Hill on Monday to field questions from leading Democrats on how the $700 billion financial bailout bill is working.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Monday on concerns of an accelerating global slowdown after Japan's surprise news it had fallen into recession and Citigroup Inc, the No. 2 U.S. bank, said it would cut 52,000 jobs, far more than had been expected.

Reuters - The White House and congressional Democrats launched a post-election showdown on Monday over how to rescue U.S. automakers with millions of jobs, more than a century of iconic brands, and potentially economic confidence, riding on the outcome.

Reuters - A report released on Monday concluded that Gulf War syndrome is a legitimate illness suffered by more than 175,000 U.S. war veterans who were exposed to chemical toxins in the 1991 Gulf War.

Reuters - Shocked residents began returning home on Monday to three areas of Southern California ravaged by wildfires, some finding their houses and cars reduced to piles of smoking, melted rubble.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Monday opposed Senate Democrats' proposal for a $25 billion bailout for the U.S. auto industry and urged instead that aid be provided through government loans already appropriated for the industry by Congress.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. military officer on Monday gave a cautious welcome to the new U.S.-Iraqi pact that calls for U.S. forces to leave the country in three years, but he warned security conditions could change.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The global financial crisis may make it easier to restrict the money supply for terrorism, but there are also risks banks could skimp on monitoring suspicious cash flows, U.S. experts said on Monday.

AP - Prospects dimmed on Monday for the $25 billion bailout that U.S. automakers say they desperately need to get through a bleak and dangerous December.

AP - No longer foes but not yet allies, President-elect Barack Obama and John McCain buried their bitter campaign in public smiles and searched for common ground in private on Monday, discussing possible collaboration on climate change, immigration, Guantanamo Bay and more.

AP - Sen. Joe Lieberman appears increasingly likely to hold onto his prized chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee as he meets Tuesday with Democratic colleagues unhappy over his vocal support for GOP nominee John McCain during this year's presidential campaign.

AP - Citigroup, widely seen as the sickest Wall Street bank, will make some of the most severe cuts in the history of U.S. business — 53,000 jobs — as it tries to slash costs and get back to basics before it's too late.

Reuters - The White House on Monday opposed Senate Democrats' proposal for a $25 billion bailout for the U.S. auto industry and urged instead that aid be provided through government loans already appropriated for the industry by Congress.

Reuters - Stunned, bedraggled evacuees began returning home on Monday to three areas of southern California ravaged by wildfires, some finding their homes and cars reduced to piles of smoldering, melted rubble.

Reuters - The top U.S. military officer on Monday gave a cautious welcome to the new U.S.-Iraqi pact that calls for U.S. forces to leave the country in three years, but he warned security conditions could change.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Jerry Yang, the chief executive of Yahoo Inc, will step down from his role as soon as the board finds a replacement, the Internet company said on Monday and its shares rose 4 percent.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama and vanquished rival John McCain met for the first time since the November 4 election on Monday, pledging to work together to face the financial crisis and reduce government waste.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats took the first step toward bailing out the nation's crippled auto industry on Monday by proposing a $25 billion loan program, a plan that faces stiff political headwinds with millions of jobs potentially riding on the outcome.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Stunned, bedraggled evacuees began returning home on Monday to three areas of southern California ravaged by wildfires, some finding their homes and cars reduced to piles of smoldering, melted rubble.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California's Attorney General on Monday urged the state Supreme Court to consider whether a gay marriage ban passed by voters this month was legal.

AP - Yahoo Inc. co-founder Jerry Yang is stepping down as chief executive, ending a rocky reign marked by his refusal to sell the Internet company to Microsoft Corp. for $47.5 billion — more than triple Yahoo's current market value.

AP - Even a make-believe psychic couldn't spot the scam when an actor disrupted a scene for 'Medium' involving Patricia Arquette, who stars as psychic Allison DuBois in the NBC drama.

AP - Police said a Pennsylvania man bound his neighbor with duct tape, doused him with gasoline and threatened to set him on fire unless the neighbor confessed to burglarizing his house. John Black, of New Sewickley Township, was charged with burglary, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint and related crimes.

Reuters - Jerry Yang, the chief executive of Yahoo Inc, will step down from his role as soon as the board finds a replacement, the Internet company said on Monday and its shares rose 4 percent.

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama and vanquished rival John McCain met for the first time since the November 4 election on Monday, pledging to work together to face the financial crisis and reduce government waste.

Reuters - Senate Democrats took the first step toward bailing out the nation's crippled auto industry on Monday by proposing a $25 billion loan program, a plan that faces stiff political headwinds with millions of jobs potentially riding on the outcome.

AFP - A brutal financial crisis showed its teeth on Monday as US banking giant Citigroup announced a massive 50,000 job cuts and automakers begged governments to save them amid a spreading global recession.

AFP - President-elect Barack Obama and his defeated Republican rival John McCain pledged a 'new era of reform' to solve the US economic crisis, transform energy policy and safeguard national security.

AP - A member of a religious sect pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor Monday after being accused of leaving another member's corpse in her bathroom so the group could collect her Social Security checks.

AFP - Asian shares fell Tuesday on mounting fears of an extended global recession after US banking giant Citigroup announced 50,000 job cuts and carmakers on both sides of the Atlantic pleaded for help.