EDUARDO CONTRERAS / Union-Tribune Trucker Francisco Sepulveda filled his big rig's tank at a truck stop near the Otay Mesa border crossing yesterday.

A new characteristic in the latest unrelenting run-up in crude-oil costs became apparent yesterday in San Diego and across the nation: Retail fuel prices don't sleep. In San Diego County, for example, motorists awakened yesterday to discover that the average cost of a gallon of diesel fuel increased 13 cents overnight  to $5.06, according to the Utility Consumers' Action Network.

NEW YORK – Wall Street ended a week of big losses with more selling yesterday as rising oil prices again raised worries that strained consumers will cut back spending and hurt the overall economy. The Dow Jones industrials fell nearly 150 points in the final session before the three-day holiday weekend, bringing the total decline for the week to just over 500 points.

WASHINGTON – Existing-home sales fell for the eighth time in nine months, a string of weakness expected to continue as the housing industry battles falling home prices, tight lending conditions and a weak economy.

WASHINGTON – The head of the Federal Communications Commission said yesterday he wants to regulate fees charged to cell phone users who cancel their wireless contracts early. At a news conference, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin would not say whether he endorses an industry plan to help consumers avoid early termination fees.

WAYNE, Mich. – Phil McKinnon said he's seen it all before at Ford Motor Co. – the rising gas prices and the company's ensuing attempts to adjust to a changing market.