PRESS DIGEST - Washington Post Business - Jan. 6

WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - The Washington Post included the following items on the front page of its business section on Jan. 6. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

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The inspector general of the Securities and Exchange Commission said that he is broadening his investigation into the agency's failure to detect the alleged fraud committed by Bernard Madoff.

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The auto industry capped off 2008 with its worst sales in 16 years as Americans continued to steer clear of dealerships in December, according to sales figures released on Monday.

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With sagging oil prices putting pressure on its own budget, the government of Venezuela has ended its three-year-old $100 million program providing home heating-oil assistance for poor Americans in 23 states.

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Apple chief executive Steve Jobs announced that he is afflicted with a protein-depleting hormone imbalance, and on Wall Street the news was greeted with a rally.