AP - The number of Iraqi security forces killed in September rose by nearly a third to 159 compared with the same period last year, Associated Press figures showed Tuesday. U.S. troop deaths for the same period fell by nearly 40 percent to 25 — only eight due to combat.

AP - With the holiday shopping season about to start, consumer confidence is hovering near the lowest it's been since President Bush's father was commander in chief. It may dip more as Americans open their 401(k) statements and see how much they've lost in the last few weeks.

AP - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday called for Americans to get behind attempts to salvage a $700 billion rescue plan for the financial sector, saying that if Wall Street fails ordinary people will also be hurt.

AP - Wall Street snapped back Tuesday after its biggest sell-off in years amid growing expectations that lawmakers will salvage a $700 billion rescue plan for the financial sector. But the seized-up credit markets where businesses turn to raise money showed no sign of relief.

AP - Congressional leaders, with advice from their parties' presidential nominees, scrambled Tuesday to find out what changes are needed to sell the failed $700 billion financial system bailout to rank-and-file members.

AFP - At least 113 people were killed and scores injured Tuesday in a massive stampede at a Hindu temple in the western state of Rajasthan, a senior state official said.

AFP - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson warned US lawmakers they had to act fast after the House rejected his 700-billion-dollar bank bailout, triggering panic selling as the global financial crisis deepened.

Reuters - Defense Secretary Robert Gates predicted on Monday that growth in U.S. military spending would level off in the coming years but not face severe cutbacks, despite the current economic crisis.

Reuters - A former third-ranking official at the CIA pleaded guilty on Monday to fraud charges related to accusations he improperly steered agency contracts to his best friend, the Justice Department said.

Reuters - Consumers facing rising unemployment kept their spending unchanged in August even though incomes rose, according to a government report Monday that showed optimism about the economy's direction was fading.

Reuters - At least 90 people died and 150 were injured in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the western state of Rajasthan, police said Tuesday.

Reuters - Republican John McCain accused presidential rival Barack Obama on Monday of helping sink a $700 billion rescue plan for Wall Street, but Democrats said McCain was deflecting attention from his own failures.

Reuters - Fueled by the needs of a growing elderly population, U.S. spending on long-term health care under the Medicaid program will soar in the next 20 years, a report released on Monday predicted.

Reuters - The Dow industrials plunged on Monday in their biggest decline ever after U.S. lawmakers unexpectedly rejected a $700 billion financial bailout, spooking investors who fear for the future of global markets and the U.S. economy.