UNEMPLOYMENT

Germany?s retail sales rose in March compared to the previous month with the boost in purchasing power in households as unemployment declined.

Singapore?s unemployment rate rose slightly in the first quarter compared to the last quarter as layoffs from companies increased.

Gold held near a two-week high on Monday on prospects of more safe-haven buying, with the U.S. dollar under pressure from weaker-than-expected economic data and speculation the Federal Reserve could ease policy further to boost growth.

If the U.S. presidential election was held today, President Barack Obama could easily lose. Fortunately for Obama -- and, by extension, for the Democratic Party -- the election is not today: it's 7 months from now.

Investors might be in for another week of gloomy economic news. The U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, Institute for Supply Management data, and the European Central Bank's monthly policy meeting are key items on the economic calendar from April 30 to May 4.

Markets shrugged off news of weaker-than-expected first-quarter growth in U.S. gross domestic product and responded positively, if modestly, to news of stronger-than-expected consumer confidence.

Challenger Francois Hollande and incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy are apparently seeking to attract those who cast ballots for Marine Le Pen in the French presidential election's first round on April 22. The way these voters break most likely will determine the winner of the second round on May 6.

The U.S. economy expanded at a slower-than-expected pace in the first quarter, reflecting a deceleration in inventories and nonresidential fixed investment that was partly offset by the biggest gain in consumer spending in more than a year.

The alarming data comes only a day after credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the country's debt rating from A to BBB+, citing a worsening budget deficit, worries over the banking system and poor economic prospects.

Take Your Child to Work Day 2012 is today. Here's a guide for unemployed parents who still want to teach their kids about the value of work and the dignity of making something of their lives.

The bond market focused Thursday on weak economic data while equity investors responded to news that an unexpectedly high number of people sought first-time jobless benefits, leaving both types of securities higher.

U.S. 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates dipped to 3.88 percent in the week ending April 26, staying near record lows as the housing market remained mixed, mortgage financier Freddie Mac said Thursday.

More Americans than expected filed for jobless benefits last week, adding to a recent batch of soft economic data, stoking fresh concerns about the recovery's strength.

The Salton Sea is disappearing at an astounding rate, and some environmentalists are fighting the uphill battle for a timely restoration.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke rattled financial markets Wednesday afternoon, as the top U.S. central banker hemmed and hawed his way through a tough round of questioning from a cadre of economic reporters.

Greece will no longer pay benefits to 200,000 fraudsters and dead pensioners; Greek central-bank governor warns of departure from euro zone if budget cuts are not followed

Sarkozy has to walk a fine line between trying not to alienate Le Pen?s supporters, while appearing not to agree with some of their more extremist points of view.

The target U.S. interest rate will remain at its current level of 0 to 0.25 percent through late 2014, the Federal Open Market Committee led by Federal Reserve chairman Ben S. Bernanke decided at a meeting Wednesday.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday repeated its promise to leave interest rates on hold until at least late 2014 but offered few clues into whether it might offer additional stimulus later this year.

The United Kingdom, Europe's third-largest economy, fell into recession in the first quarter when its gross domestic product fell 0.2 percent, a contraction that followed the fourth-quarter's 0.3 percent decline.

Consumer confidence fell slightly in April, the second straight monthly decline, as a stuttering economic recovery kept purse strings tight, according to a survey released Tuesday.