Doctors: No hamsters, exotics for kids

Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.

Experts: Half of mammals in decline

One in two mammal species on Earth are in decline and at least one in four are at risk of disappearing, according to a survey released Monday.

Crisis aside, many face other economic woes

The crisis on Wall Street is drawing attention away from the financial problems many Americans were already facing because of the weak economy.

Justices begin session with smoking suit

The Supreme Court opened its new term Monday suggesting it would side with tobacco companies in their fight to block lawsuits over deceptive marketing of "light" cigarettes.

McCain accuses Obama of lying

Republican John McCain on Monday called Democratic rival Barack Obama a liar as he leveled his harshest criticism yet, and said the campaign boils down to one question: Who is Obama really?

Great pumpkin is 1,900 pounds (and growing)

Steve Connolly hopes his ‘Beast from the East' will smash the current world record of 1,689 pounds. The problem is getting it to the weighing: "Lifting it at this time of the year is a tough thing. I'll have a fork truck come in."

BofA to pay $8 billion over subprime suit

Facing a lawsuit over deceptive mortgage practices, Bank of America Corp. is agreeing to pay more than $8 billion to modify hundreds of thousands of loans to keep people from losing their homes.

NBC/WSJ poll: Obama's lead grows

Fueled by the candidates' responses to the current economic crisis ,  as well as their debate performances,  Barack Obama has increased his  lead over John McCain.

NYT: McCain, Obama sharply divided on Iraq

One of the most pressing questions Barack Obama or John McCain would confront if elected president is how to build on the security gains in Iraq at a time when troop levels have begun to drop.