AP - As much as a foot of snow fell from the Plains across the Midwest on Saturday, snarling road and air travel and leaving at least two people dead, as the second big winter storm in a week barreled through on its way to New England.

AP - British forces formally handed over responsibility Sunday for the last region in Iraq under their control, marking the start of what Britain hopes will be a transition to a mission aimed at aiding the economy and providing jobs in an oil-rich region beset by militia infighting.

AP - People taking out home mortgages may gain new protections soon against shady lending practices as the Federal Reserve seeks to back even the riskiest borrowers, already hit hardest by the housing and credit crunches.