AFP - Mining giant BHP Billiton on Wednesday said first-half profits had more than doubled to 6.14 billion US dollars, but it remained cautious about the economic outlook.

AP - Molson Coors Brewing Co. sold fewer beers around the world in the fourth quarter, but its profit more than doubled as the company held onto price hikes it made during the recession and benefited from a one-time drop in its tax rate.

Reuters - Former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and billionaire investor Warren Buffett, from different sides of the political spectrum, expressed support on Tuesday for the U.S. government's aggressive steps in 2008 to keep the nation's banks and economy from a complete meltdown.

Washington Post reporter Ezra Klein, The Financial Times’ Edward Luce and financial analyst Bill Fleckenstein debate the status of a jobs bill making it onto President Barack Obama’s desk for his signature. (Other)

President Obama makes a surprise visit to the White House briefing after sitting down with Democrats and Republicans to spur cooperation on job creation. Watch the entire event. (NBC News)

Denis McDonough, deputy assistant to President Barack Obama, explains the conflict of interest between the White House and critics about whether the alleged Christmas Day bomber should have been Mirandized. (Other)