UNITED STATES

For many Americans, 2011 ended on a somewhat pessimistic note. Income barely rose and consumers tapped their savings during the crucial Christmas season. Despite things looking ahead for 2012, chances of an economic recession have urged many people to lookout for a job with better perks.

An insurer fee included in President Obama's health reform law that was intended to help fund coverage expansion may actually result in the federal government taxing states and itself.

There are now more than 26,000 prisoners above age 65. There are more than 124,000 prisoners age 55 or older.

Stock index futures were little changed on Thursday as investors looked ahead to weekly jobless claims data, one last clue about the state of the labor market before Friday's key jobs report.

Washington Gay Marriage: State Senate Passes Bill Proposed by Gov. Gregoire. Late last night the Washington State Senate voted in support of House Bill 2516, making it that much more likely that Washington will become the seventh state in the U.S. to legalize gay and lesbian marriage.

The U.S. tax season is on and April 15 is the deadline for filing the Federal tax returns for 2011 without a penalty.

Stock index futures were little changed on Thursday as investors looked ahead to weekly jobless claims data, one last clue about the state of the labor market before Friday's key non-farm payrolls report.

The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms surged in January to its highest level in four months as retailers and financial firms cut jobs, a report on Thursday showed.

Gold prices rose for a second straight day on Wednesday in correlation with the euro. It came on the same day that the Global Investor Confidence index measured by State Street Global Markets fell just more than two points, suggesting that the continuing economic turbulence is fueling investors to seek out more stable assets like gold.

Picture President Barack Obama's reelection campaign as a showroom. Over there, at one stand, is an overall improving economy -- he hopes. And somewhere in the showroom, either as a part of the economy stand or standing on its own, will be the health and restoration of the United States automotive industry. If the past week and a half is any indication, Obama plans to use it as a critical point in his reelection campaign as the industry continues a dramatic recovery from dire straits just mor...

Royal Dutch Shell unveiled ambitious new growth plans alongside disappointing fourth quarter results on Thursday, raising concerns about how much profit the increased activity will bring.

Samsung Galaxy S3, which has already generated significant interest among smartphone enthusiasts, is all set to carry on the legacy of Galaxy S2 and become the best device in the history of Android phones believe smartphone lovers.

This theory has held up in 35 of the past 45 years (a 78 percent success rate) going back to the very first Super Bowl in 1967.

Gold prices Thursday extended last month's rally after positive manufacturing from China to the Europe to the U.S. and Greece appeared close to a settlement with its creditors.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc reported a 14 percent rise in fourth quarter profits on Thursday, as high oil prices outweighed dismal industry-wide margins in its refining business.

Facing stiff global headwinds and a downturn in its property sector, China should cut taxes and slash banks' reserve requirements this year to underpin growth, a senior government economist said on Thursday.

Following the release of the most detailed sightings of uncontacted Indians ever recorded on camera by the advocacy group Survival International on Tuesday, the Peruvian authorities reported that the same tribe members (Mashco-Piro) had killed the tribal guide who was with the archaeologist who captured the photographs.

Facebook unveiled plans for the biggest ever Internet IPO that could raise as much as $10 billion, but made it clear CEO Mark Zuckerberg will exercise almost complete control over the company, leaving investors with little say.

European shares hit a six-week high on Thursday adding to solid gains after global manufacturing data eased fears about the growth outlook, but with Greek debt talks unresolved, gains were limited.

Royal Dutch Shell said it was targeting aggressive growth in the coming years, with the startup of big new projects and higher investments in exploration set to drive a 50 percent rise in cashflow and a 25 percent rise in oil and gas production.

The stunning footage was captured by a camera on board one of NASA's twin Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) lunar spacecraft.