EAST

RICHMOND, Virginia (Reuters) - Top Federal Reserve officials on Tuesday struck differing notes on the likely pace of the U.S. economic recovery and one warned that pockets of weakness must not deter the central bank from withdrawing its extraordinary economic support.

East Coast states totaling damage from nor'easter, already estimated at tens of millions. It was a desperate, ultimately futile battle ? machine against nature ? and Ocean City kept it up long after the outcome had been decided.

East Coast states totaling damage from nor'easter, already estimated at tens of millions. It was a desperate, ultimately futile battle ? machine against nature ? and Ocean City kept it up long after the outcome had been decided.

Somali pirates attack US-flagged Maersk Alabama for 2nd time, guards repel attack with gunfire. Somali pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama on Wednesday for the second time in seven months and were thwarted by private guards on board the U.S.-flagged ship who fired off guns and a high-decibel noise device.

Obesity begone! Americans are lacing up athletic shoes and signing up to run in 5Ks, 10-milers and even marathons in record numbers.

Obesity begone! Americans are lacing up athletic shoes and signing up to run in 5Ks, 10-milers and even marathons in record numbers.

Philip Morris USA sues NY, NJ retailers over counterfeit Marlboros. Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest tobacco company, said Thursday it has filed federal lawsuits accusing 10 New York and New Jersey retailers of selling counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes.

Senate confirms controversial Obama nominee for Chicago appeals court. The Senate on Thursday confirmed U.S. District Judge David Hamilton for the Chicago-based federal appeals court, approving a nominee targeted by conservatives as a liberal activist.

Pa. Public Utility Commission approves Dominion Peoples sale; deal linked to W.Va. sale. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has unanimously approved the sale of Dominion Peoples, Pittsburgh's largest natural gas utility, to a San Francisco-based investors group subsidiary.

Obesity begone! Americans are lacing up athletic shoes and signing up to run in 5Ks, 10-milers and even marathons in record numbers.

Obesity begone! Americans are lacing up athletic shoes and signing up to run in 5Ks, 10-milers and even marathons in record numbers.

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - From the merely unpleasant to the borderline criminal, ugly buildings somehow manage to pop up even in the prettiest cities.

Former smoker, 61, to speak out after winning $300 million Fla. verdict against Philip Morris. A former smoker in Fort Lauderdale is speaking out about her $300 million verdict against Philip Morris.

AP IMPACT: US distribution of swine flu vaccine is uneven, confusing; complaints abound. When the nation's swine flu vaccination program began in early October, health officials predicted it was going to be "messy." They were right.

Lawyers for former smoker to discuss $300 million verdict against Philip Morris. A former smoker who just won a $300 million verdict in Florida against Philip Morris USA has pulled out of a news conference about the case.

Residents of Coal River Valley in West Virginia criticize Massey Energy mining operation. A group of Coal River Valley residents is speaking out about a Massey Energy Co. mining operation near Whitesville.

In restructuring, AP changes roles for 6 news editors and assigns 4 regional photo editors. The Associated Press has named six news editors to oversee expanded multistate territories and has assigned four interim regional photo editors as part of a restructuring of U.S. news management to ensure the continuing strength of the news cooperative's state reports.

Idol, friend of horrorcore victims, alleged killer says quadruple slaying not music's fault. The quadruple murder allegedly committed by a horrorcore music fanatic is just the kind of scenario so-called "death rappers" write songs about.

Wizards' Arenas on rehab, regrets, returning from injury: 'I'm not the entertainer anymore'. Agent Zero had a lot to say about talking less.