WASHINGTON (AP) -- For all his problems with the economy, President Barack Obama is getting unexpected help from a Republican Party that seems incapable of capitalizing on its advantages.

HOUSTON (AP) -- Jailed Texas financier R. Allen Stanford is mentally competent to stand trial on charges he bilked investors out of $7 billion in a massive Ponzi scheme, a judge ruled Thursday

CHICAGO (AP) -- Santa's letters got answered in Chicago this year, but it took an unusual appeal and a late surge of Christmas spirit from generous volunteers.

Now, though, a growing number of ``sensitive'' Santas in shopping centers, at community parties and elsewhere are giving Ben and others a chance to meet the big guy in autism-friendly settings -- and providing families a chance to capture elusive Christmas photos and memories that families of typical children may take for granted.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators have approved a nuclear reactor designed by Westinghouse Electric Co. that could power the first nuclear plants built from scratch in this country in more than three decades.

BETHLEHEM, N.H. (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney this week spurned chief rival Newt Gingrich's challenge for a one-on-one debate in the run up to the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses but dismissed the notion - suggested by the former House speaker - that he was afraid to participate in such a face-off.

PHOENIX (AP) -- A man found unresponsive in a jail cell after fighting with deputies at a Phoenix jail over the weekend has died after being taken off life support, an attorney representing his family said Wednesday.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Wal-Mart and health officials awaited tests Thursday on a batch of powdered infant formula that was removed from more than 3,000 stores nationwide after a Missouri newborn who consumed it died from a rare infection.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The so-called birther movement was dealt another legal blow Thursday when a federal appeals court tossed out a lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama's U.S. citizenship and his eligibility to serve as commander in chief.

Bank of America agreed to pay $335 million to resolve allegations that its Countrywide unit engaged in a widespread pattern of discrimination against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers on home loans.