NEW YORK

Factory activity in the Midwest accelerated in February after falling for two consecutive months, fostering hopes that the world's largest economy has gained momentum.

The U.S. economy would have to strengthen to ensure that the unacceptably high jobless rate keeps dropping, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday, suggesting the option of further Fed bond buying remains on the table.

U.S. mining equipment maker Joy Global Inc posted higher first-quarter profit, helped by stronger margins, and raised its 2012 forecast.

China's engagement in resolving the euro zone debt crisis has been a topic of contention. High-profile Chinese leaders, such as Vice Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping, have reassured the European countries that China would invest in alleviating the debt. However, a financial plan has yet to be communicated.

The European Central Bank gave the world's financial system a €529.5 ($712) billion Leap Year Day gift, providing financial institutions with that amount in one percent-interest, three-year loans this week, the bank announced Wednesday morning.

Leap Day is today, and to celebrate the day that comes every four years, businesses and restaurants are celebrating with deals. The next leap day isn’t going to be for another 1,461 days, so jump into stores today to take advantage of these great offers.

Rupert Murdoch's younger son, James, is resigning as executive chairman of U.K.-based newspaper publisher News International, its parent, New York-based News Corp. announced Wednesday.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Wells Fargo & Co. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have been warned by the Securities and Exchange Commission that they might face inquiries tied to mortgage-backed securities offered to investors several years ago.

Apple has finally sent out a media invite for a special event on March 7, where the next generation tablet, dubbed iPad 3, is expected to be unveiled.

Filmmaker Simcha Jacobvici (featured) and his colleauge, James Tabor, have claimed in their new book, The Jesus Discovery, that they have discovered the tomb of Jesus Christ.

Another iOS security concern, when will it end? New to the scene is a security loophole in the way iOS allows users to share information about their location. An application that implements this feature could grab user photos for the developer’s viewing pleasure. We are not certain how this is happening, but at the moment, that doesn’t matter. What does matter, however, is how fast will Apple release a fix to combat the problem.

First she bared it all in a Giants bikini in the middle of Times Square earlier this month; now Maria Menounos is ready to bare it all on the dance floor as one of the newest members of Season 14 of ABC's hit dancing contest, Dancing with the Stars. Here are some photos of her hottest looks before you watch the competition begin on March 19.

Angelina Jolie's bare leg led to many post-Oscar jokes, but by Tuesday it had kicked back at critics and become an Internet celebrity in its own right followed by thousands.

Stock index futures edged up on Wednesday after European banks absorbed more than half a trillion euros as part of an effort to stabilize the euro zone's financial system.

European stock markets gained in early trade Wednesday ahead of second 3-year long-term refinancing operation (LTRO) by the European Central Bank.

AP stated that around 20,000 body parts were recovered from the World Trade Center that was struck by a hijacked plane nearly eleven years ago. Most of the remains were sent to Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island the following year. Some remains of those who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon site were buried at Arlington National Cemetery in 2012.

The New York Times has covered the most monumental events in modern history--the moon landing, JFK's assassination and beyond--which is why it makes sense that the paper has started a Tumblr page to host many of its unused photos. Under the moniker The Lively Morgue, the New York Times photography department will be posting unpublished photos onto the Tumblog. The site launched this Monday, and its editors plan to post photos several times a week.

KLM's new ‘Meet & Seat’ Program to make flying a more social experience by allowing passengers to choose their own seatmates based on social media profiles.

Market participants are seemingly expecting European banks to take up a massive amount of euro over the next 24 hours, as the European Central Bank offers them a second helping of ultra-low cost loans. The banks themselves, not so much.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday hit Republican presidential challengers hard during a speech at the United Auto Workers conference in Washington, most notably lashing out at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for his views on the auto bailout.

An independent panel released a report Tuesday indicating that the U.S. Military disposed of some 9/11 victim remains at a landfill in the aftermath of the 2001 terror attack, and New Yorkers are beginning to react to the scandal.