Early Iraq results: PM battling secular challenger (AP)
AP - Partial vote results in Iraq's historic election released Thursday showed a tight contest between the nation's prime minister, who had the lead in two provinces in the mainly Shiite south, and a secular challenger who appeared to be drawing on Sunni support north of Baghdad.
Americans’ net worth up for 3rd straight quarter (AP)
AP - American households saw their wealth increase at the end of last year, mainly because the healing economy boosted stock portfolios.
More quakes hit Chile as new president takes over (AP)
AP - A series of strong aftershocks from last month's devastating quake rocked Chile on Thursday as a new president was sworn into office and immediately urged coastal residents to move to higher ground in case of a tsunami.
Jobless claims fall, trade gap narrows on oil (Reuters)
Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell only slightly last week, indicating that rapid job growth would probably continue to elude the economy for a while.
Democrats, White House close in on health bill (AP)
AP - House Democratic leaders on Thursday worked to rally their rank-and-file members around last-minute agreements on insurance taxes and prescription drug coverage that could move President Barack Obama's overhaul of the nation's health care system a step closer to reality.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies at 69 (AP)
AP - Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69.
