News bites: Debt-limit dealings

The White House did not rule out marrying spending cuts to an increase in the debt limit, presenting an opening to GOP negotiators.

A bipartisan group of senators is unhappy that regulators might force higher down payments as part of financial reform.

Hopes for a broad settlement with banks over mortgage documentation problems seem to be fading as regulators push different punishments.

Brazil's president is talking trade on his visit to China, as the two emerging markets meet.

As gas prices continue to climb, economists wonder when it will begin having an adverse economic effect.