The House and Senate have passed legislation that will revamp the Bush administration's $5.6 billion effort to counter bioterrorism threats, reorganizing management of the program and providing struggling companies with periodic cash infusions to help fund their research and testing.	WASHINGTON -- America's trade deficit posted a dramatic decline in October, falling to the lowest level in 14 months as the price of crude oil plunged by a record amount.	WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve, under first-year Chairman Ben Bernanke, appears close to achieving the tricky maneuver of steering the U.S. economy to a soft landing.
Sales of existing homes are expected to decline 8.6 percent, to 6.47 million, for 2006, and shrink another 1 percent, to 6.40 million units, next year.	Valassis Communications is suing to escape its deal to purchase Advo, a direct mail marketing company it agreed to buy for $1.3 billion.	Fewer people are rushing to cram in miles before the end of the year to upgrade to a higher frequent-flier status.