UNITED STATES

The economy is gaining momentum and should push through next year with only a few bruises despite an almost certain European recession and slower global growth.

Congress, after months of bitter fighting, is poised to pass Friday a payroll tax cut extension that President Barack Obama argues is vital to the health of the economy.

For the entire lineup of games, check the list of titles due for release in February.

Pakistan's powerful military and civilian leaders are headed for a showdown over a memo that accused the country's generals of plotting a coup, newspaper editorials predicted Friday.

The U.S. has announced a reward of $10 million for providing information leading the arrest of an accused al-Qaida fundraiser.

Asian stocks edged up Friday, as signs of a strengthening economy in the United States encouraged a modest year-end rally in riskier assets.

Soletron, a start-up backed by former Adobe Systems Inc Chief Executive Bruce Chizen, is building an online marketplace for streetwear and sneakers, a market that is worth almost $60 billion by one estimate.

A direct-mail solicitation for Ron Paul's political and investment newsletters two decades ago warned of a coming race war in our big cities and of a federal-homosexual cover-up to play down the impact of AIDS.

AT&T Inc said late on Thursday that it won regulatory approval to buy wireless spectrum from U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm Inc, a move that would boost the company's 4G network.

Former American Idol finalist Adam Lambert brushed off his arrest in Finland on Thursday, blaming his bad behavior on travel, booze and irrational confusion and adding lesson learned on Twitter.

The TSX finished higher for a third-straight session on Thursday as worries over European bank lending eased and U.S. economic data pointed to gradual economic improvements, sending financial and energy issues up sharply.

Gaming software maker Cantor Entertainment Technology Inc filed with U.S. regulators on Thursday to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering of its Class A common stock.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, signaled that if the payroll tax reduction extension deal is not approved by the House via unanimous consent on Friday, he'll call the House back into session for a vote next week. Odds are, given the tax cut's popularity, the House GOP will approve it Friday, but as Yogi Berra famously said, It ain't over til it's over.

First it was a bronze statue in Hungary. Now it's a Grammy.

Siemens said it is working to fix security flaws in industrial controls products that the U.S. government warned could make public utilities, hospitals and other critical parts of the country's infrastructure vulnerable to attack by hackers.

Best Buy has notified some online customers that it cannot complete their online orders, just three days before Christmas and already into the Hanukkah season. Some of the orders were placed in November.

Respected commodities hedge fund BlueGold has veered from its energy-focused strategy, betting half its money on equities and other trades that are worrying investors as it turns in its first down year.

Every now and then - for better or for worse - a new presidency ushers in a new American era.

As the end of 2011 approaches, the housing market is another year removed from the subprime mortgage meltdown. But the legacy of the crash remains, as homeowners, lenders, regulators and brokers alike continue to deal with falling home prices, a glut of unprocessed foreclosures and an uncertain economy.

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted a Turkish national on terrorism-support charges for allegedly wiring money to Pakistan to help fund attacks against American military personnel.

In 2012, buzzwords will bow to the British royals with Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, forecast as the most-used word in the media, according to a group that surveys the English language.