New York Times- Most e-mailed stories Using Computing Might, Google Improves Translation Tool The company’s network pushes the limits of translation technology and has become a favored source for millions. Bank of America Plans to End Overdraft Fees on Debit Card Purchases The decision that could cost the bank tens of millions a year and put pressure on other banks to do the same. Protein Suspected in Alzheimer’s May Be Needed to Fight Infection Beta amyloid, which was once thought to be a chief villain in Alzheimer’s, may be part of the brain’s normal defenses, researchers at Harvard suggested. United Tastes: Tacos in the Morning? That’s the Routine in Austin, Tex. When it comes to breakfast tacos, which are stuffed with fillings like eggs and bacon, Austin, Tex., trumps all other American cities. Public Pensions Are Adding Risk to Raise Returns Even as big companies are moving their pension funds out of stocks, state governments are chasing higher returns by making riskier investments. After Boom and Bust, Solar Power Has a Place in the Spanish Sun A national commitment to solar power transformed one community but big subsidies led to unsustainable growth. AP- Top News Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks WASHINGTON (AP) -- Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt.... Pakistan officials: Suspected US missiles kill 4 PARACHINAR, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistani officials say suspected U.S. drones have fired missiles at a house and nearby truck in the country's northwest near the Afghan border, killing at least four people.... Google opens Web store for business applications SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Google Inc. will sell the online services of other business software makers in an effort to fill its own product gaps and persuade more companies to rely on applications piped over the Internet.... Letterman: Case against producer handled properly NEW YORK (AP) -- From the start, David Letterman made sure the story of a $2 million shakedown attempt over his sex life was one he narrated himself.... A-Rod: Lawyers are setting up interview with feds TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez says his lawyers are setting up an interview with federal authorities as part of an investigation into a Canadian doctor who is the focus of a cross-border drug smuggling case involving human growth hormone.... The Latest From Gourmet Magazine How to Say No We've encouraged our daughter to eat anything that pleases her. We never thought about how to set limits. How Robert Bresson Taught Me To Cook Chip Brantley, author of the book The Perfect Fruit: Good Breeding, Bad Seeds and the Hunt for the Elusive Pluot and co-founder of cookthink.com, explains what the difficult French filmmaker showed him about the art of cooking. Grant Achatz Goes to Austria Like a small museum with ever changing galleries, the progressive and very modern restaurant Ikarus showcases the world's best talent, one chef at a time. Set it On Fire, Part Two Cherries Jubilee was the most beautiful thing I'd ever made, and I was going to make my last one count. Restaurants Now: Tavern Law (Seattle) - Pouring everything from fizzes to flips, this brand-new speakeasy keeps the focus on good, old-fashioned liquids. My Day on a Plate: Debi Mazar From Goodfellas to good food. The actress, mother, and current Dancing with the Stars hoofer has a new website, Under the Tuscan Gun, where she dishes out her favorite traditional Italian recipes, ingredients, and anecdotes. Paul B. Brown, Small Business Tool Kit Dealing With Recession-Related Stress Small-business owners can help themselves and their employees deal with stress by keeping the workplace well organized and paying attention to their health. Advice in Two New Books, but Not From Talking Heads Publishers find that a young child and the richest folks in town have financial tips to share. Three Paths to Personal Financial Order In three personal finance books, a look at the do’s and don’ts of investing. Some Inspiration to Make 2010 a Success Encouragement never hurts, so why don’t we begin the new year with some wise advice from the successful about how they got that way?. How to Cut Costs in Bad Times (and Good) Whether the economy is booming or in a tailspin, entrepreneurs can always use tips on how to trim expenses. Politics 2008 Gates keeps up pressure on Iran with Gulf visit (AP) AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was keeping up the pressure on Iran on Wednesday, consulting with the United States' closest and most influential ally in the Persian Gulf about how to respond to Iran's disputed nuclear program. Hoyer says some trying to politicize Massa case (AP) AP - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer accused political opponents Wednesday of trying to exploit the controversy surrounding former Rep. Eric Massa, who resigned from Congress amid accusations of sexual harassment. Public scorn for Congress sharpens, support for Obama holds (AP) AP - Americans have come to detest Congress ever more deeply as it nears the end of a nasty fight over health care. But more than half still back President Barack Obama, a bright spot for a Democratic Party counting on its leader to help stave off expected losses in elections this fall. US House poised to vote on Afghan withdrawal (AFP) AFP - The US House of Representatives was poised to vote Wednesday on a measure demanding President Barack Obama withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan, in a key election-year test for his war strategy. US says Myanmar election law 'disappointing, regrettable' (AFP) AFP - Myanmar election laws that bar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from standing in polls this year are "disappointing and regrettable", US envoy Kurt Campbell said Wednesday. Analysis: Greece's crisis could presage America's (AP) AP - Greece is a financial basket case, begging for international help. Is America heading down that same road? Brown says UK to maintain AAA credit rating (Reuters) Reuters - Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday he believed Britain would maintain its coveted top credit rating and announced a pay freeze for senior civil servants and military officers to help tame a record deficit. Biden says Palestinians deserve 'viable' state (AP) AP - Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, seeking to reassure them of U.S. support after Israel announced plans to expand a Jewish neighborhood in disputed east Jerusalem. Strange But True Pa. suit: Bank wrongly repossessed home, took bird PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A Pittsburgh-area woman is suing Bank of America, claiming it wrongfully repossessed her home and saying that a bank contractor trashed the house and took her parrot.... eBay item: Xbox that brought down Baltimore mayor BALTIMORE (AP) -- Prosecutors in former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's perjury case are putting the spoils of their efforts on eBay.... New Zealand woman sells souls to highest bidder WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- The rare spirits that went under the gavel at a recent online auction in New Zealand weren't aged brandies or hard-to-find liqueurs.... Woman charged in breast milk assault on jailer OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) -- A woman in jail for public intoxication was accused of assaulting a jailer by squirting breast milk at her. WYMT-TV reported that a 31-year-old woman was arrested Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication. But as she was changing into an inmate uniform, she squirted breast milk into the face of a female deputy who was with her.... Granny camps out 43 hours for grandson's ice cream STEVENS POINT, Wis. (AP) -- Here's one Wisconsin grandmother who makes time for her grandson. Michelle Cuestas of Green Bay used two vacation days and camped out for 43 hours to make sure her grandson would be first in line for the 2010 opening of a Stevens Point ice-cream landmark.... Top News From AllInOne Obama: Time to debate health care over [CNN] President Obama on Monday tore into private health insurers for recent rate hikes, taking a more aggressive rhetorical turn as he pushes for final congressional passage of his top domestic priority. Phantom kangaroos spotted in Japan [ABC News, Australia] It may seem odd, but the locals swear it is true. Sister, yacht captain want Natalie Wood case reopened [CNN] Natalie Wood once said in a televised interview that her greatest fear was of dark seawater. Later, in November 1981, she drowned in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Catalina Island, California. SA Liberals, ALP in dead heat poll [ABC News, Australia] With less than two weeks until South Australians go to the polls, Newspoll has the major parties in a dead heat. Schoolboys allegedly offered money for sex act [ABC News, Australia] A man is to face court today accused of offering school boys money to perform sex acts in western Sydney.