Iran cleric's funeral becomes opposition rally

  Tens of thousands of Iranian mourners turned the funeral procession of the country's most senior dissident cleric into an anti-government protest Monday, chanting "death to the dictator."

Economists: We don't need more stimulus

The U.S. economy doesn't need another round of government stimulus spending to stay afloat in 2010, according economists surveyed in msnbc.com’s year-end roundtable.

Stocks rise after wave of corporate deals

Rosenthal: Sunday’s super finishes also key to playoff races

Rosenthal: For one glorious moment Sunday, the Steelers were transported back to last year’s Super Bowl, when receivers’ toes magically dragged through the end zone, and no amount of fourth quarter wackiness could stop Ben Roethlisberger from delivering a perfect strike. Big Ben’s last second toss to Mike Wallace was just one of three fantastic finishes Sunday afternoon. Here’s a quick look at the lasting impact of each.

Panthers put chill on Vikings’ NFC North title

Coroner to conduct autopsy on Murphy

  Brittany Murphy’s family told Los Angeles officials the actress was ill with flu-like symptoms in the days before her death at age 32. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said they will conduct an autopsy Monday to try to determine what killed the actress.

Scoop: Friends ‘really worried’ about Murphy

Ideal beauty a matter of millimeters, study says

Researchers  claim they’ve discovered the ideal alignment of female facial features, measurements that explain why one woman is perceived as attractive and the other, well, isn’t.

  Dems’ health bill passes key Senate vote

Lavish gadgets for those with rich taste

Is there a technophile on your list with tastes that run a little rich? You may want to consider custom-made PCs starting at $8,000 or an uber-chic cordless phone for $1,100.

Terrific tech gifts for $200 or less

DOT imposes 3-hour limit on tarmac strandings

  The Transportation Department, responding to tarmac horror stories, on Monday ordered airlines to let passengers stuck in stranded airplanes to deplane after three hours.

  7 trips you should never book online