Boreal Access

Felix Batista disappeared December 10 from a restaurant in Mexico -- a case that made headlines because of its irony. The anti-kidnapping expert was kidnapped, authorities said. The Batista family will make a public appeal in Miami today. "We hope to get some answers," sister Jackie Batista told CNN.

Though 2008 was wrought with layoffs and economic struggles, the New Year means rejuvenated hope for job seekers.

One of Chicago's most well-known real estate moguls appears to have shot himself to death, police said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated Wednesday that the Illinois Supreme Court may be able to help clear the way for former state Attorney General Roland Burris to be seated in the U.S. Senate.

Many Americans are struggling to pay bills, find jobs and avoid foreclosure, so it may seem extravagant to spend money on a digital camera or laptop. But financial fears also are leading folks to stay home. Electronics industry leaders meeting in Las Vegas are hoping this nesting trend increases demand for Blu-ray players, stereos and video games.

President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday will announce his pick for "chief performance officer," a newly created position that will work on the federal budget and to reform government, a Democratic official told CNN.

Israel is halting its military operations in Gaza for three hours today to allow residents of the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory to obtain supplies. The truce is scheduled to take place every other day. "This is in order to enable replenishing of supplies and allow aid activities," Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner told CNN.

It is total hypocrisy for the naysayers of embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to assert that he didn't have the legal right to appoint Roland Burris to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

In April, at age 34, Giyen Kim dropped a 60-hour-a-week job to follow her childhood dream of becoming a writer. Now, she's primed to clear her next personal hurdles: making money from writing, and losing weight.

Kara DioGuardi is ensconced in the black velvet cocoon of a small home-recording studio, laying down a demo track while warmed by the glow of spice-scented candles.

A new national poll appears to validate the adage that time heals all wounds, at least when it comes to two former presidents of the United States.

Leon Panetta is an impressive man with many laudable achievements to his credit.

If you're a NASCAR driver, you can't afford to be leaking fuel on the track. You won't be able to get the power you need. You won't be able to drive as far. You'll have to keep pulling over for more gas while your competitors accelerate around the track.

CNN's Larry King spoke Tuesday evening with a team of fitness and health experts about Oprah Winfrey's latest bout with weight gain, and they reveal how she's fighting back.

A 19-year-old woman who handled ducks in northern China has died in Beijing from bird flu, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

The Israeli military said Hamas militants positioned in a U.N. school in northern Gaza fired mortar shells at Israeli forces today, prompting Israeli forces to return fire, according to its initial investigation. Three artillery shells believed to have been fired by the Israeli forces struck near the perimeter of the school in Jabalya, killing at least 30 people and wounding 55, according to a U.N. official.

Dr. Bruce Ivins, the former government scientist blamed for a string of deadly 2001 anthrax attacks, behaved oddly and was "sarcastic and nasty" to his wife in the final weeks of his life, police documents said.

An audio message reportedly from al Qaeda's deputy chief vows revenge for Israel's air and ground assault on Gaza and calls the Jewish state's actions against Hamas militants "a gift" from U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

Nine sites in the central Pacific will be set as sanctuaries for marine life and bases of research for scientists, President Bush said Tuesday.

Any cease-fire in the Gaza conflict will require "clear and definitive action" to halt the smuggling of weapons and money into the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday.