UNITED STATES

After years of economic turmoil, U.S. homebuilders should see modest gains and a stable outlook in 2012, according to a report from Fitch Ratings.

Canadian commercial lending growth accelerated in the third quarter, showing smaller businesses expanded even as Europe's deepening debt crisis rattled investors worldwide, according to a PayNet Inc report.

One unidentified Missouri woman received $6.1 million from an unclaimed property she didn't know she had.

Hong Kong was named the best city in the world for financial market development, beating out perennial front runners New York and London.

At this time of year Hollywood brings out big-budget movies like Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise and the new Sherlock Holmes film starring Robert Downey, Jr.

Galaxy Nexus finally went on sale Dec. 15 at Verizon, and it's $300 on contract with a bonus data deal available for a limited time from Verizon's Web site. That $300 is the highest price you can expect to pay for a subsidized smartphone in the U.S. right now (only exception is the 64GB version of iPhone 4S). It's also on par with Verizon's other flagship phones. Droid Razr, HTC Rezound and the 32 gigabyte version of iPhone 4S.

Kroger Co said on Thursday that four of the pension funds to which it contributes will merge into a new fund, a move that should ultimately trim its pension contribution costs after it takes a charge this year.

U.S. soldiers facing emotional problems and contemplating suicide may soon be able to use a smart phone application to connect them to help.

Stocks rose on Thursday as signs of strength in the economy and higher-than-expected profit at FedEx outweighed a stark warning from the IMF about inaction over Europe's debt crisis.

Civic Associations such as Don Capalbi's Queensborough Hill civic play a vital role in New York City life, creating a forum for citizens to air grievances and meet their elected representatives, and connecting the gentry to its government.

Cain then fell from the polls and bowed out of the race. But he's told Barbara Walters in an interview that aired Wednesday night as one of the 10 Most Fascinating People of the year that if given the opportunity for a cabinet position, he would choose this one -- Secretary of Defense.

Gold prices extended losses to a fourth session Thursday but the decline was far less than the previous day's plunge as weaker crude oil prices offset support from dollar weakness.

Though he continues to lag in national polls, Rick Perry is launching a massive comeback effort in Iowa, which will hold the nation's first caucuses on Jan. 3. Here is an overview of his positions.

An Eagan dad who punched his eighth-grade son in the face after the boy's team lost a youth basketball tournament game over the weekend in Lakeville, Minn., has been arrested and charged.

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau found about 146 million Americans are either low-income or living in poverty.

An improvement in the U.S. employment picture last week and a rise in regional factory activity suggested an emerging divide between resiliency in the U.S. economy and faltering growth in Europe and Asia.

Southwest Airlines Co is focused on eliminating waste and inefficiencies in its operation to bring down costs and re-widen the cost advantage it has against larger rivals, Chief Executive Gary Kelly said on Thursday.

Enforcement officials at the Securities and Exchange Commission will reportedly recommend that the agency appeal a federal judge's November decision rejecting a $285 million settlement with Citigroup.

Glam Media, the women's lifestyle online publishing and advertising company, is close to selecting bankers to lead an initial stock offering slated for 2012, according to people familiar with the matter.

Is the Iran drone real and what does is say about the relationship between the United States and Iran.

After nearly nine years in Iraq, the war has formally drawn to a close as U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta declared an end to its mission in a ceremony in Baghdad on Thursday.