The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp yesterday announced it was closing four more banks, bringing this year's total to 143 — up from 140 banks closed all of last year. But hey, their total assets should be lower, says the FDIC!

After a down year by their standards, Somali pirates are finally back in business: For the release of two tankers they were paid a record ransom of $12.3 million. "We are now counting our cash," one pirate gloated. [BBC]

Robbing banks in stupid costumes is so hot these days. But one Connecticut crook has put them all to shame: Police in Wolcott are looking for a man who robbed a bank on Thursday dressed as Spinal Tap's Derek Smalls.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has set up a huge new $452 million fund for whistleblowers in the finance industry. As the saying goes: If you see something (or your shady co-workers doing something) say something! You could get paid.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai admitted to receiving bags of cash from Iran. Don't worry! He says it's "normal."

Andrew Fashion—the web entrepreneur who earned and blew $2.5 million before his 22nd birthday—took a break from his career of model networking, dating advice and glamour photography to discuss his sex life, facial hair, and net worth.

Web entrepreneur Andrew Fashion made $2.5 million by the age of 21 helping people bling out their MySpace pages. He blew it all before he turned 22. Meet Andrew and learn where his money went.

The average American murder costs society $17.2 million, according to researchers who studied the economic impact of murders, rapes, and other felonies. Here's how they stacked up.

As America's Second Great Depression wears on and the Christmas season approaceth, it's time to think about present budgeting, even for the nation's top 10% of wealth. They've settled on a spending figure, and it's even lower than last year.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will appear on Oprah Friday to announce a $100 million donation to help resuscitate Newark's failed public school system. That's a lot of money, even for someone worth $6.9 billion. Talk about some well-timed PR!

Mayor Mike Bloomberg is no longer New York's wealthiest resident. Tea Party billionaire David Koch is.

Though he famously refused to join the Oprah Book Club for The Corrections, it seems Franzen's letting his newest tome, Freedom, get pimped by the Empress of Everything. Wonder what changed! Maybe he just wants to piss off Jodi Picoult.

Even though we've upped our offer to buy his silence, Donald Trump has yet to shut up. Case in point: his Larry King Live interview tonight, during which Trump played a fear-mongering card and insulted the "Ground Zero Mosque" developer.

James Clooney, an alleged "frequent patron of the Penthouse Executive Club" (a club, for executives, who wish to see breasts), ran up a $46,698.18 tab ("on beef and babes")... and never paid. Good strategy! Except he's getting sued.

While still drilling a relief well in the Gulf of Mexico, BP has been adding up the total cost of its environmental catastrophe this summer. Of the $8 billion BP has spent so far, $399 million went to claims.

For the second straight year since the global financial meltdown, the U.S. birthrate has dropped and is now at its lowest point in 100 years. Who knew that losing your house, job and life savings would ruin your libido? [AP]

Depressing fact: Somalia's 2009 budget, $11 million, was roughly the same as that of High School Musical 3.

In a segment more befitting his daytime talk show than a primetime cable news one (actually, they're pretty much the same), Jerry Springer squared off with Sean Hannity tonight on President Obama, the economy, health care, and more! Video inside.

Phyllis Nefler has had a very long wedding season. But she's back! Join Phyllis as she soothes her bruised feet in a balm made of equal parts scorn, envy, and four-cheese artichoke dip. Let's score the Times' Wedding Section!

How about putting President Obama on the dollar bill, instead of that old white-haired lady who's there right now? Design firm Dowling Duncan did it for the Dollar ReDe$ign Competition. Want to see their designs for the other denominations?