An inquiry panel is hearing from former CEOs of two big banks that succumbed to the financial crisis, Lehman Brothers and Wachovia Corp., as it delves into the "too big too fail" predicament and potential systemwide risk from financial institutions.

Hurricane Earl, now a powerful Category 4 storm, barreled toward the U.S. coast early Tuesday after battering tiny islands across the northeastern Caribbean with heavy rain and winds that damaged homes and toppled power lines.

Vice President Joe Biden returned to Iraq Monday to mark the formal end to U.S. combat operations and push the country's leaders to end a six-month stalemate blocking formation of a new government.