The Christian Science Monitor - President Obama fleshed out a new mortgage-relief plan Wednesday, saying the steps he outlines would “help millions of responsible homeowners” and the US economy.

Reuters - A proposed settlement to resolve mortgage abuses by top U.S. banks will give states broad authority to punish firms that mistreat borrowers in the future, according to documents seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

Reuters - State and federal officials are close to a settlement with the largest U.S.

AP - The Obama administration said Friday that will expand its signature foreclosure-prevention program to try to help those with heavy debt loads avoid losing their homes.

AP - Mitt Romney released two years of his federal tax returns under pressure from Newt Gingrich, who made his 2010 tax filings public ahead of his GOP rival. Romney, in turn, successfully pressed Gingrich to disclose contracts between his consulting firm and housing giant Freddie Mac.

AP - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney came to ground zero of the housing crisis Tuesday to assail rival Newt Gingrich over his ties to the government-backed mortgage companies that helped make it worse, a message Romney has been pushing since he landed in the state. But that meant he also had to talk about banks — and he continued what’s become a habit of comparing companies to people.

She’s always been a big supporter of President Barack Obama and Beyonce Knowles is doing her part to help him get re-elected. The brand new mommy has designed a t-shirt along with her mother Tina Knowles and it will sell for $45 to help raise support for Obama’s campaign

He’s not afraid to voice his opinions, and Matt Damon went on an anti-Obama tirade during a recent interview.

Reuters - The number of new home foreclosures jumped by more than 21 percent in the third quarter as banks moved more aggressively after a pause that began late last year, according to a report released by a bank regulator on Wednesday.

AP - Republican presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich clashed sharply with one rival, took pains to compliment another and said it was laughable for any of them to challenge his conservative credentials Thursday night in the last campaign debate before the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses kick off the 2012 primary season.