NYT: Fort Hood suspect tracked before shooting

  Intelligence agencies intercepted communications between Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who is accused of shooting to death 13 people at Fort Hood, Tex., and a radical cleric in Yemen.

  Ida weakens, but Gulf Coast prepares

Advice for Obama: Knock heads on health care

"The president could take a few pages from Lyndon Johnson's book ... and start knocking heads together," said Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., the most senior African-American in Congress, of Barack Obama's plight for a health care overhaul.

Obama marks win, but challenges mount

Stocks end big day at highs for the year

  Stocks jumped to new highs for the year Monday as the dollar extended its slide, boosting prices for commodities including gold and oil. Energy and materials stocks led the market.

Cadbury rejects hostile bid from Kraft Foods

Davis: Kansas tops 2009-10 hoops storylines

Davis: From Kansas’ quest for a title to John Calipari’s ramped-up expectations at Kentucky, this is sure to be a fun college basketball season. Here are the storylines to watch.

Men’s college basketball 2008-09 preview

‘Sesame Street’ still Big Bird’s nest after 40 years

Big Bird — that towering, yellow 6-year-old — has been calling “Sesame Street” home ever since the show premiered on Nov. 10, 1969. And as it marks its 40th anniversary, he remains an essential member of the flock — and the show itself is forever young.

Scoop: Susan Boyle says fame ‘can flatten you’

Suicides raise worries about recession’s real cost

Coroner John White is presiding over a sad tally in this northern Indiana county, tracking rising numbers of suicides he believes are linked to the lingering recession. Elkhart may be a harbinger of deadly increases in other hard-hit areas.

Stroller company announces major safety recall

Controversy surrounds 'Modern Warfare 2'

  "Modern Warfare 2" may be the most anticipated and controversial games of the year, with analysts expecting to see sales exceeding $500 million in the first week.  Msnbc.com's video game reporter Todd Kenreck takes a look.

Online holiday shopping is trickier this year

10-day China package from $888

Now is a great time to explore this region of the world with China Spree’s knock-out bargain on their 10-Day Golden Triangle Tour which is priced from just $888 — that’s less than $100 per day!

Paris and Nice, air/6 nights, from $749