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.

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.

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.

Intel picks signal break from Bush

President-elect Barack Obama's decision to fill the nation's top intelligence jobs with two men short on direct experience in intelligence gathering surprised the spy community and signaled the Democrat's intention for a clean break from Bush administration policies.

U.S. tourist stabbed in Rome
An American tourist from California is in serious condition in a Rome hospital after being stabbed outside a bar in downtown Rome.

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad inaugurated

The United States opened its new embassy building in Baghdad on Monday, a step meant to symbolize its transition from occupying power to an ally of a sovereign Iraqi government.

Man arrested in murder of Ohio mom

Police in Ohio have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the death of a Dayton mother and the kidnapping of her 4-year-old son, who was later abandoned at a highway rest stop. His father says the boy is "still terrified."

Man holding 3 hostages surrenders

A former South Carolina policeman who fired shots from a Georgia motel while holding his infant son and two women hostage surrendered peacefully Monday after a 13-hour standoff.

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.