Mark Brooks

The government's Public Debt Management Agency said the 13-week T-bills were sold Tuesday at an interest rate of 4.11 percent, edging down from the 4.2 percent rate on Nov. 13.

Reid said Boehner should focus on negotiations and not succumb to tea party pressure.

A Boehner aide says the speaker is calling on Congress to pass a bill on only the tax cuts, while also working with the White House to avert the "fiscal cliff," which includes a series of spending cuts.

Speaking a few hours after Obama and Boehner met at the White House, these people said the president was now seeking a higher tax rate beginning at incomes over $400,000, up from the levels of $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples that were cornerstones of his successful campaign for re-election.

No indication of plans for major changes or new stimulus.

General business conditions declined in December for a fifth consecutive month.

The lawsuits seek $20 billion in damages.

Thousands of people hit the streets to protest government spending cuts.

Airline profits jumped almost 55% in the third quarter, compared to a year ago.

National Association for Business Economics predicts 2.1% growth in 2013, after 2.2% in 2012.

The dollar was falling against other currencies as traders awaited developments from budget talks in Washington.

Prices at the pump dropped 4 cents over the weekend to an average of $3.25 a gallon, the lowest level in almost a year.

Tax rates on all workers go up in January, and $109 billion worth of across-the-board spending cuts begin to take effect then.

The increase of $6 billion was the weakest since total holdings fell in December 2011.

Traders worry devastating drought could be repeated next year.

Ford also introduced two new commercial vehicles that will go on sale late next year.

Governor stunned legislators when he called a special session that will cost taxpayers $13,000 a day.

The banking system also remains fragmented, with borrowing costs far higher in some countries than in others.

In the past year, consumer prices have risen 1.8 percent.

Fees on early check-in and oversized bags are going up; 300 jobs to be cut by attrition.