Reuters - New orders received by U.S. factories plunged a much-greater-than-expected 4.6 percent in November, the fourth straight monthly decline and a sign the sharp drop in manufacturing is deepening the recession, a government report showed on Tuesday.

Reuters - A judge on Tuesday extended an order barring well-known hedge fund founder Ezra Merkin from withdrawing or liquidating millions of dollars in his funds, which invested with accused swindler Bernard Madoff.

Reuters - Stocks gained on Tuesday as bets rose on the likelihood of a government stimulus package after the release of minutes from the last Fed policy meeting painted a dismal picture of the U.S. economy.

Reuters - Pending sales of existing U.S. homes dropped to a seven-year low in November, data showed on Tuesday, as rising job losses and a deepening economic recession kept potential house buyers on the sidelines.

AP - Two more months of mortgage payments and retiree Allan Goldstein says he'll be broke, just another victim in what may be the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.

Reuters - German billionaire Adolf Merckle has committed suicide, in despair over the huge losses suffered by his business empire during the financial crisis, his family said on Tuesday.