Rogue trading is all in a day's work, says Nick Leeson who toppled Barings Bank in 1995 with illicit trading worth $1. 6 billion, but the $7. 2 billion fraud that cost France's banking giant Societe Generale is frightening. "Rogue trading is probably a daily occurrence within the financial markets," Leeson told the BBC. "What shocked me was the size. I never for one moment believed it would get to this degree of magnitude, this degree of loss. "

Loneliness is painful and potentially deadly, according to new research at the University of Chicago that found animals, gadgets and spiritual beliefs - not just friends - ease the sense of being alone. "It's actually a greater risk for morbidity or mortality than cigarette smoking is," says Nicholas Epley, Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science at the university's Graduate School of Business and lead author of an article on the subject in the February issue of the journal Psychological Science.

Authorities arrested a man for driving with a dummy disguised as a man in order to drive in the carpool lane. The unnamed driver had placed the dummy at the backseat, and was pulled over by state patrol when the mannequin slumped forward and could not be seen by authorities.

A $10,000 reward was announced by a California family for the safe return of their small dog. Louie, the tiny 5-month old Yorkshire terrier puppy was allegedly stolen at a supermarket parking lot, from Pauline Jolly's car.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on Wednesday merging two separate state departments into a new agency to combat high-tech identity theft. The California Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection was created to assist consumers, law enforcement, businesses and advocacy groups in compliance with consumer privacy laws. It combines the Office of Privacy Protection in the Department of Consumer Affairs with the state Information Security Office.