2007 ID Theft: 79M Records Compromised

That's four times the amount of personal data compromised in 2006.

Alternative minimum tax growth blocked

Congress acted in its final hours Wednesday to block growth of the alternative minimum tax, putting off an economic hardship affecting more than 20 million taxpayers.

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Wal-Mart cancels movie download service

Wal-Mart Stores Inc quietly canceled its online video download service less than a year after the site went live

Privacy Pinch? When Cell Phone Ads Attack

Imagine getting a targeted text ad for Starbucks while in a Starbucks.

30-year mortgages rates climb (AP)

AP - Rates on 30-year and one-year mortgages climbed this week, while rates on some other home loans didn't budge.

Mortgage Crisis Forces Big Cuts at WaMu

Mortgage Woes Force WaMu to Close Offices, Slash Over 3,100 Jobs and Drop Subprime Loans

Is work too good to give up?

In our workaholic society, many people’s lives revolve around their jobs. So retirees can be unprepared for what life is really like once they punch that final time card.

Kansas GOP Chair Brags of Vote 'Caging' Efforts, Successes

End of Year Letter Describes Plan to Identify, Challenge Voters in 2008... This is illegal. Call your congress person to ask for prosecution.

Time to Fix or Trash Your Appliances?

Elisabeth Leamy's tips about what to do with your aging appliances.

Left-out territories earn place on quarter

After nearly 10 years of lobbying, a measure will extend the popular state quarter program to the nation's capital as well as five territories.

G7 finance ministers to meet in Tokyo on Feb 9 (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan will host a meeting of Group of
Seven finance chiefs on February 9 in Tokyo to discuss
challenges facing the global economy including fragile markets
and high oil prices, Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga said on
Friday.

60% of all executions this year were in Texas

This year’s death penalty bombshells have masked what may be the most significant and lasting development. For the first time in the modern history of the death penalty, more than 60 percent of all American executions took place in Texas.

Boeing and British Airways finalize 787 contract (Reuters)

Reuters - Boeing said on Thursday that
British Airways finalized an order for 24 Boeing 787
airliners, an order valued at $4.4 billion at list prices.

Money tips for cash-strapped retirees

More and more retirees are struggling to make ends meet in their golden years, in large part because they’re being walloped by the effects of inflation.

Huckabee for 23% sales tax!

Political suicide?

Clinton urges Iowa voters to caucus on wrong day

Smartest woman in the world? "World-class genius" Hillary Clinton urges voters in Iowa to caucus on Jan. 14, 11 days late. The Iowa caucuses are January 3 and organization is key to getting voters to go to the events and support their preferred candidate.

U.S. retailers' holiday sales up (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. retailers' sales rose 3.6 percent
in holiday shopping, at the lower end of expectations, helped
by a late-season spending surge on some items, according to
data released on Tuesday by SpendingPulse.

What does ‘core’ inflation mean anyway?

Last week's reports on a strong uptick in prices have readers wondering how worried they should be about inflation.? The Answer Desk by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen.

Feds: Unions not 'work-related'

Congratulations! You no longer have the right to receive e-mails from your union at work.

High-tech innovations come to retailing (AP)

AP - Red pumps. Silver slingbacks. Bronze flats. Black suede boots. Size 7 1/2, please.

Speculative bid interest lifts Emap shares (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares in media group Emap
jumped briefly on Monday on speculative interest as some
investors took the view that a counter-bidder may pitch for the
company's specialist publishing and conferences assets.

A User's Guide to Mortgage Shopping

Elisabeth Leamy's tips, advice and warnings for those looking for a mortgage.

Tancredo Drops Out

Rep. Tom Tancredo is set to abandon his long-shot bid for the presidential nomination Thursday afternoon, a source close to the Colorado Republican told CNN.

News Corp to sell 8 U.S. TV stations for $1.1 bln (Reuters)

Reuters - Rupert Murdoch's News Corp (NWSa.N)
will sell eight U.S. television stations to private equity firm
Oak Hill Partners for about $1.1 billion.

The Terror Train Bears Down

Why Jane Harman's "Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007" is a profoundly bad idea, one likely to skew and misdirect the fight against genuine terrorism into an ideological witchhunt that poisons our constitutional rights.Unfortunately, this Orwellian bill is very much on the verge of becoming reality.

Sooner or later? When to take Social Security

While most people take their Social Security benefits before reaching retirement age, it may not be the best choice, especially in the face of increasing life spans.?

Bush: ‘I go around spreading good will.’

In his press conference today, President Bush said: "It’s what I do during my presidency. I go around spreading good will, talking about the importance of spreading freedom and peace."

Worried About Foreclosure?

Tell Your Story to ABC News

10 tips on tipping: Who gets how much?

Have you ever felt unsure whether you really should be tipping someone at the end of the calendar year? Here are 10 tips on who should get how much.

Fire hits building next door to White House

Firefighters battled thick smoke and flames inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Wednesday.

'12 Days of Christmas' Gets Costly

The price of gifts listed in 'Twelve Days of Christmas' Carol Hits $78,100.

Fixed-income investing beyond the bank

Interest rates are down and may go down more. That’s not so hot if you want to buy bonds or put money in the bank. So where’s the best place to put your fixed-income holdings?

Ralph Nader supports Edwards' anti-corporate message

Perennial third-party presidential candidate Ralph Nader was asked by Chris Matthews on Monday, "Is there anybody in this campaign you like the looks of that can win, so that you wouldn't have to run?" Nader replied "I do like Kucinich. But the frontrunners -- Edwards now has the most progressive message across a broad spectrum."

Smart ways to trim your year-end tax bill

Although Uncle Sam might not usually be included in your holiday plans, wrapping up a few simple financial tasks before the end of the year can help carry the joy of the season all the way through April 15. ?Financial Editor Jean Chatzky shares practical advice on how to prepare your accounts for the new year.

Answer Desk front page

With Americans living longer, a growing number of people are embarking on entrepreneurial second careers ?well into their 80s. For many, running a company has become the new retirement.

Wheat Prices Surge to Record High

Wheat Prices Climb to Record Above $10 Per Bushel As Strong Demand Depletes US Supply

3 Members of Congress call for impeachment, ignored by media

Three Members of Congress, all on the Judiciary Committee, call outright for impeachment hearings, and no one reports it?

Report: Ohio voting machines have 'critical flaws,' could un

It's unbelievable how this isn't fixed yet. Safeguard the vote!

Why do mass shootings happen in "gun free zones"?

Gun Free Zones, so admired as a tool by the anti-gun lobby, are dangerous to us all.

Wall Street mood sours on inflation report (FT.com)

FT.com - US stocks had a weak start on Friday after news that consumer inflation surged last month, casting doubt over whether the Federal Reserve can lower rates in the future.

How Ask.com Could Overtake Google

Allowing people to erase search histories might be the key to unseating Google.

Finder's Keepers: Contractor, Homeowner in Cash Feud

Feud Over Depression-Era Currency Found Hidden Behind Bathroom Walls

Tips for Shipping Your Christmas Gifts

The U.S. Postal Service gives advice on how to best mail cards and gifts.

CFR article on North American Union *one month after 9/11*

The Council on Foreign Relations talks about a North American Union and NAFTA, in a submission entitled "The Future of North American Integration in the Wake of the Terrorist Attacks".

China's Ornaments: Sweatshop Christmas?

A report alleges abuse in the making of holiday ornaments sold in the U.S.

'How Bush became a government unto himself'

"President Bush doesn't like to veto laws," Abrams began. "He doesn't have to. Since he took office, he's attaching conditions to laws already passed by Congress [**1,100 times**], allowing him to essentially disobey the will of Congress and dramatically expand his own power."

An Iraqi refugee shares her story - a blogger in Syria

"The first weeks here were something of a cultural shock. It has taken me these last three months to work away certain habits I’d acquired in Iraq after the war. It took me at least three weeks to teach myself to walk properly again- with head lifted, not constantly looking behind me."

Crude Fears: Oil Skyrockets

The price of crude jumped a shocking $4.37 to close at $94.39 a barrel.

Ten Reasons Why "Save Darfur" Is a PR Scam for Next Oil War

The star-studded hue and cry to "Save Darfur" and "stop the genocide" has gained enormous traction in U.S. media along with bipartisan support in Congress and the White House. But the Congo, with ten to twenty times as many African dead over the same period is not called a "genocide" and passes almost unnoticed. Why? Sudan sits atop lakes of oil.

Holiday gratuity questions? Here are some tips

With the holiday season fast approaching, many families are starting to think about who to tip for services ranging from hair cuts to house cleaning and dog walking — and how much to tip.

Auto Insurance … for Your Pet?

One insurer is offering up to $500 if a dog or cat is hurt or dies in a car cras

Lead-Free Toys for the Holidays

Consumer correspondent Elisabeth Leamy shares some toys that passed the test.

How Far Will You Go to Sell Your House?

Tell Your Story to ABC News