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Every few decades, the sun experiences a particularly large storm that can release as much energy as 1 billion hydrogen bombs. Officials from Europe and the U.S. say an event like that could leave millions on Earth without electricity, running water and phone service.

After she was raped in Iraq, allegedly by her co-workers, Jamie Lee Jones sought justice from her employer, Halliburton. But a mandatory arbitration policy prevents her from seeking recourse through courts. Without knowing it, many consumers and workers have signed away similar rights.

Thanks to the trade deficit, every day China ends up with a billion new U.S. dollars. By buying bonds from the mortgage giants, it has a reliable way to send the U.S. dollars back — so Americans can buy more from China.

The new financial regulations signed into law Wednesday are designed to protect consumers from mortgage brokers, check-cashers and payday lenders, which were lightly regulated until now. One goal is to bring these so-called "shadow bankers" out into the sunlight.

There are really only two ways to make Medicare cost less: Pay health care providers like doctors and hospitals less, or make Medicare patients pay more. Until now, neither has been very popular politically.

Sanctions have hurt the Iranian economy, but have so far failed to convince Tehran to abandon nuclear ambitions. A report from the Iran Project argues that it's time to re-examine the balance of sanctions and diplomacy. Others argue it's time to consider military options.

Millions of people are starting over after devastating floods. The World Bank says direct damage to property and crops will exceed $9 billion. While parts of the south are still underwater, most people in the northwest, where the floods began, have returned home. The slow pace of recovery and rehabilitation, however, has produced widespread disgust.

Cuba's government plans to lay off more than 500,000 workers in the next six months. Private businesses and cooperatives are supposed to absorb many of the displaced workers. But many questions remain about what's expected to be a rough transition.

Most people think of a hacker as someone who breaks into computer networks, but many in the do-it-yourself movement have adopted the term for themselves. They're turning old typewriters into keyboards, slot machines into bartenders and suitcases into boomboxes — and their numbers are growing.

BP gas station owners have faced protests and drops in business. The idea of changing BP's branding back to its old name has gained some traction, but experts aren't convinced the company's image would change as quickly as its signs.