Shares of Alpha Natural Resources dropped sharply Wednesday after the coal producer warned that the slowing economy could trim as much as $95 million from its expected 2008 profit.

Christmastime and the new year send television into overdrive with specials and holiday-themed episodes. What stands out? Here's a look at noteworthy programs and a countdown to the most special of all specials.

CINCINNATI — It spread like a cold virus through a day care center.

Running into your ex is almost always awkward and stressful. David Snyder and Nancy Partridge deal with it nearly every day.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought Wednesday to head off Indian retaliation against Pakistan for the Mumbai terrorist attacks as the United States stepped up pressure on Islamabad to cooperate "transparently, urgently and fully" in tracking down the perpetrators.

Extendicare, the large health-care chain that owns the Richmond nursing home where the staff was videotaped abusing and neglecting an 84-year-old Alzheimer's patient, has big plans to profit from the aging of the Baby Boomers.

It may have seemed like a mirage: Two camels nibbling on a pine tree along a street in this desert metropolis on the Texas border. Police tried lassoing the animals, which lunged at the officers with snapping teeth as onlookers chuckled.

In his first news conference since President-elect Barack Obama asked him to stay on, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that he and Obama agree on the U.S. course in Iraq, but he couldn't commit to Obama's pledge of a 16-month withdrawal. Instead, Gates said the pace of the drawdown would be one of several discussions in which he'll participate during the new administration.