Top headlines:

Obama warns that major stimulus needed: President-elect Barack Obama warned Thursday that the nation's recession could "linger for years" unless Congress acts to pump huge sums from Washington into the U.S. economy. ›20:54

Panda attacks zoo visitor for third time: For the third time, Gu Gu the panda has attacked someone who climbed into its space, prompting officials at the Beijing Zoo to consider changes to keep visitors away from 240-pound animal. ›22:40

China finds no new bird flu outbreak: China said Thursday that no other cases of bird flu have been detected in Beijing and neighboring provinces after a woman died from the avian influenza in the capital. ›02:00

Dead Denny just one symptom of Grey's woes: What has happened to once-popular and praised "Grey's Anatomy"? Izzie is sleeping with a dead man, the interns are cutting each other up, and there are only a few glimmers of hope that the show will improve. ›19:45 30 Dec, Tue

Republicans hit U.S. attorney-general nominee: Eric Holder Jr., President-elect Barack Obama's pick for attorney general, brings to his confirmation hearing next week a dream resume and a bull's-eye target with his picture in the middle. ›15:25

Salmonella outbreak spreads to 42 states: Health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak that reportedly has sickened nearly 400 people in 42 states, but they don't know how the bacteria has been spreading. ›23:40 7 Jan, Wed

Attack on U.S. patrol in Afghanistan kills 5: A suicide bomber struck U.S. troops patrolling on foot in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least two soldiers and three civilians. ›20:39

Congress meets to count electoral votes: The House and Senate came together in a centuries-old tradition to count the electoral votes from the election and formally declare Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States. ›19:22

Obama plans to overhaul counterterrorism: The President-elect is laying plans to dissolve a White House security panel created in the wake of 9/11 and restructure counterterrorism policy under intelligence veteran John Brennan. ›18:57

Melamine found in more U.S. infant formula: The FDA says the industrial chemical melamine and a byproduct cyanuric acid have now been detected in four of 89 containers of infant formula made in the United States. ›20:37 7 Jan, Wed

January is the saddest movie month of the year: If youre a moviegoer, the transition from December to January is a rough one, like falling asleep in Willy Wonkas chocolate factory and waking up in the dystopia of Blade Runner. ›18:22 5 Jan, Mon

Mississippi now has highest teen birth rate: Mississippi now has the nation's highest teen birth rate, displacing Texas and New Mexico for that lamentable title, according to a new federal report. ›13:30 7 Jan, Wed

Algae used in biofuel on jet test flight: Continental Airlines on Wednesday became the first U.S. commercial carrier to conduct a demonstration flight powered in part by alternative fuels. ›23:31 7 Jan, Wed

Cheney: Obama should keep terror policies: Vice President said Wednesday it would be a mistake for the President-elect to scrap the Bush administration's terrorist-fighting policies designed to prevent future attacks on the U.S. ›14:00

Joe the Plumber to become war correspondent: The Ohio man who became a household name during the presidential campaign says he is heading to Israel as a war correspondent for the conservative Web site pjtv.com. ›17:58 7 Jan, Wed

U.N., Red Cross cut Gaza aid shipments: The U.N. suspended aid shipments in the Gaza Strip on Thursday and the Red Cross restricted its convoys after their trucks came under Israeli fire. ›22:51

JetBlue strives for top-dog status: At JetBlue, the skies are going to the dogs. In an effort to take the lead as the pet-friendly airline, JetBlue Airways recently launched its new JetPaws in-cabin pet program. ›20:27 7 Jan, Wed

N.Y. adopts tough clean air rules: New York environmental regulators adopted stricter air pollution rules on Tuesday to prevent power plants and factories from belching out more smog and soot. ›22:46 7 Jan, Wed

Statins can cause rare eye disorders: Treatment with a cholesterol-lowering "statin" drug may very occasionally cause double-vision, eyelid-droop, or weakness of the muscles that control eye movement. ›20:09 7 Jan, Wed

Report: U.S. lax on helping whales, dolphins: The Bush administration has failed to provide protections required by law to 14 marine mammals potentially at risk due to commercial fishing, congressional investigators said Wednesday. ›20:42

Obama says stimulus proposal could grow: In an interview with CNBC, President-elect Barack Obama said a planned economic stimulus plan could grow beyond $800 billion. ›12:29

Video: Russia makes power play: Jan. 7: Russia has waged a different kind of cold war on parts of Eastern Europe by shutting off the flow of natural gas through Ukraine. NBC's Jim Maceda reports.(Nightly News) ›23:55 7 Jan, Wed

Bush leaves fuel economy rules for Obama: The Bush administration said Wednesday it won't finish implementing new vehicle fuel-efficiency rules, leaving the issue to the incoming Obama administration. ›19:10 7 Jan, Wed

Diet pills from Brazil pose big health risks: A new report highlights the potentially serious health risks of using imported Brazilian-made prescription diet pills that combine amphetamines and other prescription medicines. ›16:15 7 Jan, Wed