Top headlines:
California bank robbed twice on same day: Times have been tough for banks everywhere, but a San Diego-area Wells Fargo branch had an especially difficult day this week. ›12:22 1 Oct, Wed
Military: Bomber kills 27 in Sri Lanka: A powerful earthquake struck the mountains of Central Asia, destroying a village in Kyrgyzstan and killing at least 72 people, emergency officials said Monday. ›13:27
As economy sags, so do faces ... and breasts: The economy isn't the only thing that's sagging so are faces, breasts and bellies as would-be cosmetic surgery patients increasingly opt against costly nips and tucks because of tough financial times. ›13:37 3 Oct, Fri
Dispute behind Nobel Prize for HIV research: The announcement of the 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine brings another chapter, perhaps the concluding one, to one of the ugliest controversies in modern medical science. ›01:18 7 Oct, Tue
U.S.: Crew on hijacked ship OK: 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. ›09:37
World struggles with unified response to crisis: Governments and central banks around the world grasped at measures to contain the fast-spreading financial crisis on Monday ›17:58
Web page offers news for small business owners: A new Web page on msnbc.com offers small business owners and entrepreneurs a place to get expert advice, network with other entrepreneurs and learn how to grow their companies. ›18:46
Colon cancer tests can stop at 75, officials say: Most people over 75 should stop getting routine colon cancer tests, according to a government health task force that also rejected the latest X-ray screening technology. ›21:15
Wachovia, Citigroup, Wells Fargo stop lawsuits: Wachovia, Citigroup and Wells Fargo on Monday agreed to a standstill of all formal litigation activity. ›22:56
FDA rejects ban on child cold medicines: A top government health official rejected the idea of an immediate ban on cough and cold medicines for young children, saying it might cause unintended harm. ›23:35 2 Oct, Thu
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? ›23:06
Registration gains favor Democrats: As the deadline for voter registration arrives today in many states, Sen. Barack Obama's campaign could benefit from newcomers to the rolls in key states in numbers that outweigh Republican gains. ›09:02
5 smart snacking tips to help you slim down: While eating all day long may seem like a dieting no-no, it can actually help you avoid weight-loss yo-yoing. ›12:17 3 Oct, Fri
Answer Desk: Why not arrest CEOs?: The government's $700 billion plan to rescue the creaking financial system has prompted readers to ask, why can't we just arrest the CEOs responsible for this mess? ›11:33
Unlocking the secrets of memory: Doctors are learning about the secrets of your brain and how to preserve your memories. ›16:36 5 Oct, Sun
Video: 300 penguins airlifted back home: Oct. 6: More than 300 Magellan penguins who survived an accidental detour to tropical Brazil were airlifted back to colder waters. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.(Nightly News) ›22:56
Mental health parity plan tacked onto bailout: Legislation requiring equal treatment of mental and physical health problems was approved Friday as part of the government's massive economic bailout bill. ›18:47 3 Oct, Fri
Stripper science earns frivolous fame: The 2008 Ig Nobel laureates include researchers who studied the spermicidal properties of cola drinks, as well as psychologists who found a link between exotic dancers' fertility and their earnings. ›23:51 2 Oct, Thu
GOP to file complaint against Obama: The Republican National Committee plans to file a fundraising complaint against Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign Monday. ›22:01 5 Oct, Sun
Fewer 'sworn virgins' in Albania: Mortar shells slammed into a busy market in Somalia's capital Monday, killing at least 17 people as humanitarian agencies appealed to the international community to help. ›23:09
Springsteen rocks Obama rallies in Philly, Ohio: Bruce Springsteen called the Bush presidency "a disaster" and said many Americans have lost faith in the American dream. ›23:14 5 Oct, Sun
BofA to cut dividend in half, sell stock: Bank of America Corp.'s third-quarter profit fell 68 percent and the bank says it's selling stock and halving its dividend to boost capital. ›01:06 7 Oct, Tue
Fed OKs Japanese stake in Morgan Stanley: The Federal Reserve has granted approval for Japan's largest bank to purchase a stake in U.S. investment giant Morgan Stanley. ›23:20
Briefing Book: Shooting for the sweet spot: Both candidates believe that gun ownership is an individual constitutional right. But their beliefs about the methods government can use to control the sale and carrying of firearms are starkly different. ›14:29
