AP - Because of the tight job market, the White House says President George W. Bush would sign legislation pending in Congress to further extend unemployment benefits.

AP - Fresh worries about widening unemployment added to investors' long list of concerns about the fate of Detroit's three automakers and the broader economy. The concerns weighed on stock market futures a day after stocks fell more than 5 percent.

Reuters - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's top choice to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.