National

• California firefighters make gains on fires

• Plane slides down Philly runway minus front wheels

• Postal Service investigates boss's VIP mortgage

• Online degrees appealing option for soldiers

• Gadget survey finds many bugs can't be fixed

• City dwellers learn ropes of rural life

• Copy of famed Lincoln letter turns up in Dallas

• Recall information

International

• FDA to open China offices after product scares

• Iraqi parliament debates security pact

• Fighting in Congo despite rebel promises to UN

• Tibetan exiles discussing their struggle

• 30 years after, the legacy of Jonestown

Politics

• Showdown looming in Congress over automaker rescue

• Security, economy are priorities, Obama tells CBS

  • Obama to meet with McCain at transition office

  • Sex, lies and scandal: Obama aide has seen it all

  • Obama may have to give up his beloved BlackBerry

  • Obama tries to savor near-normalcy before Jan. 20

  • Obamas won't get puppy before White House move

• Clinton as top US diplomat? OK by top GOP senator

ODD & Extraordinary

• Small La. community gets new ZIP code -- finally

• Times Square getting its first 'green' billboard

Science, Technology & The Environment

• Astronauts prepare to unpack Endeavour's cargo

• Big particle collider repairs to cost $21 million

• Greenpeace: Japanese whalers leave for annual hunt

• Natural gas rush stirs environmental concerns

• Ancient Celtic coin cache found in Netherlands

Entertainment, Entertainers and the Arts

• James Bond finds cash 'Solace' of $70.4M

• Law professor fires back at song-swapping lawsuits

• McCartney hopes to release funky Beatles track

• Julianna Margulies says she won't be back at 'ER'

• Victoria's Secret has fashion show in Miami Beach

Today

• This day in history

• The nation's weather

  • Heavy lake-effect snow hits Great Lakes states