UNITED STATES

Amazon has opposed states' efforts to force online retailers to collect sales tax from consumers, arguing that Congress must first give them authorization.

Stocks surged on Wednesday after major central banks agreed to make cheaper dollar loans for struggling European banks to prevent the euro-zone debt woes from turning into a full-blown credit crisis.

A gradual broadening and strengthening of U.S. growth should cushion the American economy against severe damage from the storms in Europe, unless a financial meltdown causes global havoc.

Since winning his first major title at the PGA Championship in August, Keegan Bradley can no longer prepare for tournaments in virtually anonymous fashion -- but he would not want it any other way.

E*Trade Financial Corp's chief financial officer said on Wednesday that the deteriorating economic environment spurred by Europe's debt crisis was a key reason behind the No. 3 online brokerage's decision not to put itself up for sale after its recent strategic review.

Stocks rose 3 percent on Wednesday as major central banks jointly added liquidity to the world's financial system, easing worries about a global downturn.

With California Governor Jerry Brown making little progress in his efforts to solve the state's intractable budget problems, a number of private groups are maneuvering to put new tax measures to the voters next November.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 broke the $500 million mark at worldwide box offices on Monday after its release only 12 days ago, film distributor Summit Entertainment said on Tuesday.

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economic activity increased at a slow to moderate pace in 11 of the 12 Fed districts. St. Louis reported a decline.

Arriving in Myanmar on Wednesday, Hillary Clinton became the first United States Secretary of State in more than 50 years to visit the country, also known as Burma.

In its first three months in operation, the U.S. consumer financial watchdog received more than 5,000 complaints from credit card customers, led by billing disputes and interest rate problems.

“Of course it’s the final word. Pakistan is not attending,” a spokesman for the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

The Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter, recovering more solidly than expected from a 0.5 percent contraction in the second quarter that was linked to the impact of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

Three hackers say they have exploited a vulnerability in Research In Motion's PlayBook tablet to gain root access to the device, a claim that could damage the BlackBerry maker's hard-won reputation for security.

The Bank of Canada will not raise interest rates again until the fourth quarter of next year as Europe's worsening debt crisis dims the outlook for the global economy, according to a Reuters survey.

Leon Cooperman sent a straightforward and scathing letter to President Obama Monday calling for reform and more accountability from President Obama calling for reform and more accountability from the administration.

After 33 days at sea, two Kiribati men were rescued by U.S. coast guard on a remote Pacific atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Gold shot higher Wednesday after the world's top central banks launched a coordinated plan to provide liquidity to struggling Eurozone banks and China did likewise for its banks.

Central bank action on Wednesday to ease severe funding strains for the world's private sector banks may help cushion a brewing global credit crunch but it only buys some wiggle room for governments trying to resolve the euro debt crisis and keep banks lending.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein may be asked to testify in a market regulator's insider-trading case against a former director of the Wall Street bank, a judge ruled.

Stocks rose 3 percent on Wednesday as major central banks jointly added liquidity to the world's financial system, easing worries about a global downturn.