Lehman sought millions for execs while seeking aid

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS

WASHINGTON - The now-bankrupt investment bank Lehman Brothers arranged millions in bonuses for fired executives as it pleaded for a federal lifeline, lawmakers learned Monday, as Congress began investigating what went so wrong on Wall Street to prompt a $700 billion government bailout.

• Dow finishes below 10,000 for first time since '04
• McCain calls Obama a liar, faults his Chicago ties
• Debate stakes higher for McCain as insults mount
• Bush says rescue plan will take some time to work
• Palin criticizes Obama's ties to Wright, Ayers
• Bus driver in fatal California crash is arrested
• 6 die in family murder-suicide in upscale LA home
• Fan use linked to lower risk of sudden baby death
• Unapologetic Plaxico Burress returns to Giants

Hamas lawmakers: Abbas term ends in January

By IBRAHIM BARZAK

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hamas will cease to recognize Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian president after Jan. 8 and replace him with one of its own leaders, according to a resolution approved by the Islamic movement's legislators Monday.

• Europe governments go their own way on crisis
• Gates: Afghan militants key to country's future
• Iraqi women fear going public as candidates
• Taliban, Afghan officials meet in Saudi Arabia
• Nobels awarded for AIDS, cancer virus research
• Major gunrunning and graft trial opens in Paris
• Pakistan to deport all Afghans from tribal region
• Lebanon, US set up joint military commission
• Earthquake kills at least 72 in Kyrgyzstan

Bus driver in fatal California crash is arrested

By JUDY LIN

WILLIAMS, Calif. - A bus driver with a string of motor vehicle offenses and a history of substance abuse was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Monday after his casino-bound charter bus ran into a ditch, killing eight people.

• AP Enterprise: In bad economy, power cutoffs soar
• Prosecutors move to delay Rezko sentencing
• Transgender Ga. official wins legal battle
• Sharpton: Bell verdict protests were peaceful
• 6 die in family murder-suicide in upscale LA home
• 'Bride' and 'groom' to be restored to Calif. forms
• OJ Simpson jury says witness testimony not trusted
• AP Exclusive: FBI file details Knievel's dark side

6 bodies found in SoCal gated community

By CHRISTINA HOAG

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles police say all six people found dead in an upscale home were one family and were shot to death in a murder-suicide.

• SEC sues disgraced Democratic fundraiser
• SAN FRANCISCO - SEC says it has sued political fundraiser Norman Hsu for alleged $60 million Ponzi scheme .
• Bus driver in fatal California crash is arrested
• CHP says motorist was texting when killed
• Man sentenced in LA in lawsuit kickback scheme
• Stockton Record backs first Democrat in 72 years
• 200 USC students sickened by stomach virus
• Gangs involved in many San Diego County homicides
• Police dig in Moorpark for possible murder victim
• Officials target San Luis Obispo nude beach
• Daschle to attend debate watch party in Reno Tues.
• Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4
• Two dead, others hospitalized in boating accident
• Invasive mussels in Colo. raise concerns at Tahoe
• Reno man arrested in probe of guns, drugs

Congress opens hearings on financial meltdown

WASHINGTON - The now-bankrupt investment bank Lehman Brothers arranged millions in bonuses for fired executives as it pleaded for a federal lifeline, lawmakers learned Monday, as Congress began investigating what went so wrong on Wall Street to prompt a $700 billion government bailout.

• Rescue plan disappointment contributes to sell-off
• Bush says rescue plan will take some time to work
• China cancels military contacts with US
• Stevens, contractor on tapes made public at trial
• High court could block 'light' cigarettes lawsuit
• Top court rejects Abu-Jamal appeal for new trial
• Bush aides win delay for congressional testimony
• Unclear how much pounding new hips, knees can take
• Supreme Court rejects jury Bible case

Character attacks emerge in McCain-Obama race

By CHARLES BABINGTON

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The two men who supposedly exemplified a different kind of politics are engaged in an increasingly bitter campaign as character attacks are emerging to compete with issues like the troubled economy.

• Debate stakes higher for McCain; insults mount
• McCain calls Obama a liar
• Obama: McCain tries to turn attention from economy
• Palin criticizes Obama's ties to Wright, Ayers
• Old events fuel new campaign attacks
• GOP files FEC complaint about Obama's fundraising
• Analysis: Palin's words may backfire on McCain
• Quotes from Palin on Obama's ties to Wright, Ayers
• Palin ethics probes beset by secrecy and lawsuit

Dow finishes below 10,000 for first time since '04

By JOE BEL BRUNO and TIM PARADIS

NEW YORK - Wall Street joined in a worldwide cascade of despair Monday over the financial crisis, driving the Dow Jones industrials to their biggest loss ever during a trading day. Even a big afternoon rally failed to keep the Dow from its first close below 10,000 since 2004.

• Rescue plan disappointment contributes to sell-off
• Europe governments go their own way on crisis
• Bank of America reports profit drop, capital raise
• Wachovia, Citigroup, Wells agree to standstill
• Eli Lilly to buy ImClone for more than $6B
• Congress opens hearings on financial meltdown
• Credit markets still tight as stocks plunge
• EBay cutting 1,600 jobs, 10 percent of work force
• Oil prices fall as financial turmoil goes global

Saints, McAllister, brace for Vikings, Peterson

By BRETT MARTEL

NEW ORLEANS - Power running, anyone? Adrian Peterson and Deuce McAllister both have a knack for inflicting pain on tacklers, turning nothing into something and wearing down defenses. Whether their teams rely on them to the same extent when the Minnesota Vikings visit the New Orleans Saints on Monday night is another matter.

• Westbrook has 2 broken ribs
• Jets' Smith appealing suspension for hit on Boldin
• Unapologetic Plaxico Burress returns to Giants
• Lowell out of starting lineup with hip injury
• Status of Bills QB Edwards uncertain
• Pack's Rodgers expected to play Sunday vs. Seattle
• White Sox beat Rays, close playoff deficit to 2-1
• Brewers' 2B Weeks has surgery on left knee
• Hamlin released from hospital day after hard wreck

Unlucky woman wrecks twice at same intersection

POCATELLO, Idaho - An intersection in southeastern Idaho has proven unlucky for a woman who's been in two car accidents at the same crossroads since August. Kris Payne was driving at the intersection of Pole Line and Eldredge roads on Thursday when another driver ran a red light and collided into her Chevy Blazer.

• 'Bra Bandit' strikes again in southwest Florida
• Extremely drunk R.I. driver pleads no contest
• 86 cats rescued from 2-bedroom condo in Colorado
• Farmer carves out Calif. record with huge pumpkin
• 'Smoot' measurement reaches new heights at MIT
• GOP, Democrats battle in Pa. over voter dress code
• Chinese wins tightrope contest across Seoul river
• Big fossil found in Ike-ravaged home's front yard
• 9 from Roswell, NM, claim $200M Powerball jackpot

Today in History - Oct. 6

By The Associated Press

Today is Monday, Oct. 6, the 280th day of 2008. There are 86 days left in the year.