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Dems demand business plan from Big Three Democratic leaders in Congress decided to delay a vote to bail out automakers until December and will first demand the Big Three show how the funds would transform the industry. Reversals on auto bailout weigh on stocks Flip-flopping sentiment about the prospects for U.S. automakers battered stocks again Thursday. U.S. jobless claims jump to 16-year high New claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to a 16-year high, the Labor Department said Thursday, providing more evidence of a rapidly weakening job market. Deflation poses new economic threat Strapped consumers are rejoicing at falling prices. But some economists warn of the growing risk of a ruinous downward price spiral  called deflation. Here's what's at stake. Commentary: When deflation is a good thing Could it be that in this case a whiff of deflation may help us get out of the crisis? Oil hits 3-year low; gas at $2 in 23 states Oil prices on hit levels not seen in more than three years and retail gas prices are now below $2 across nearly half of the country on dour reports suggesting an economic pullback. Paulson says stricter regulation not the answer Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says the financial crisis now plaguing the world economy is an event that happens "once or twice" in 100 years. Retirement dreams give way to despair, anger A rising number of people have seen their retirement plans evaporate. As 401(k)s dwindle, their dreams of golden years are being replaced by feelings of hopelessness and  anger. Newsweek: The recession means bargains Newsweek: The recession means bargains ConsumerMan: Shady retirement seminars Many Americans nearing retirement are bombarded with invitations to attend financial management seminars. A free lunch is offered. But that lunch may prove to be pricey. Fed extends meeting in December to two days The Federal Reserve announced Thursday that it will hold a hold a two-day meeting in December to weigh its next move on interest rates and to make a fresh assessment of the U.S. economy. Mortgage rates fall for a third straight week Mortgage rates dropped for a third straight week, reflecting the impact the weakening economy is having on financial markets. Congress votes to extend jobless benefits Congress has passed legislation extending jobless benefits through the December holidays, keeping checks flowing to laid-off workers who would otherwise lose them. GM stock soars after historic plummet Shares of General Motors Corp. soared in afternoon trading, reversing the morning's historic plummet, on news of a deal that could result in a financial bailout of the automaker industry. VW Jetta TDI named 'Green Car of the Year' Green Car Journal has named Volkswagen's 2009 Jetta TDI as the "Green Car of the Year," making it the first clean-diesel car to win the award. GMAC seeks to be bank holding company GMAC Financial Services, the financing arm of General Motors, said it applied to become a bank holding company, making it eligible for aid under the government?s bank rescue plan. McDonald's courts moms as emissaries McDonald's has recruited mothers to go behind the scenes of the company's operations, meet senior executives and then communicate what they see via the Web in a bid to brighten its image.