Congressional leaders including Democrats Steny Hoyer, left, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid plan to reconsider federal funding for the carmakers next month.

The National Intelligence Council (NIC) predicts China, India and Russia will increasingly challenge US influence. It also says the dollar may no longer be the world's major currency, and food and water shortages will fuel conflict .

Thousands of Texans are still living in makeshift homes

Kimberly Gooch and her husband bought a temporary trailer for their family to live in after Hurricane Ike flooded their home in Bridge City, Tex.

With no end in sight to economic bad news, President George W. Bush on Friday ensured that millions of laid-off workers will keep getting their unemployment checks as the year-end holidays approach.

The health insurance industry said Wednesday that it would support a health care overhaul requiring insurers to accept all customers, regardless of illness or disability.