There are many types of bad news in the world around us, including accidents, the loss of a job, physical and mental issues, and the loss of a loved one. It's pretty safe to say that no one likes to get bad news.

The flatlining Obama economy is at the tipping point of another recession. Economic growth has plunged to a near standstill, consumer spending has hit the brakes and the pace of job layoffs is rising.

Stock indexes came back from deep losses in the morning and ended Wednesday with small gains. The Dow Jones industrial average avoided its longest losing streak since Jimmy Carter was president.

The debt deal rally lasted all of 30 minutes. After gaining 139 points minutes after the market opened Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average sharply reversed course, shedding all of those gains after a key manufacturing index tumbled in July.

Stocks started 2011 with a big lift on Monday, and that could be a promising sign for the rest of the year.

Stocks are starting December with a jump. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 249 points, its biggest gain since Sept. 1.