BARACK OBAMA

Stocks were slightly lower by early afternoon on Thursday as investors awaited a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and one by U.S. President Barack Obama later in the day.

A federal appeals court on Thursday threw out Virginia's challenge to the constitutionality of the U.S. health care reform act signed into law by President Barack Obama last year.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Thursday called on global finance chiefs to boost growth but said a repeat of the massive coordinated fiscal stimulus efforts of 2009 was no longer possible.

Stocks edged higher in choppy trade on Thursday, led by gains in the technology sector ahead of a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama laying out a major jobs package.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Thursday as data showed a weaker labor market ahead of a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama detailing his plan for jobs growth.

New U.S. jobless claims rose unexpectedly last week, further evidence of a weak labor market just hours before President Barack Obama delivers a major address to Congress on the issue.

The U.S. economy may be stumbling, but it is still standing.

I have not seen anything that the Pakistanis were aiding his refuge there.”

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed much more than expected in July as strong Latin American demand helped push exports to a new record and imports fell slightly, a government report showed on Thursday.

Even before President Barack Obama announces the details of his jobs plan Thursday night, Republicans are lining up to denounce the proposal and in some cases skip the president's speech altogether. The White House has sought to put the onus for a sagging economy on Congress if lawmakers do not act on the plan.

Stocks slipped on Thursday after data showed continued softness in the labor market but a shrinking trade gap, ahead of a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama detailing his plan for jobs growth.

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rose unexpectedly last week, further evidence of a weak labor market just hours before President Barack Obama unveils a plan on job creation in a major address to Congress.

Texas Governor Rick Perry came out swinging in his national debut on Wednesday, all but calling President Barack Obama a liar, describing Social Security as a fraud and attacking his main Republican rival in the presidential race.

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman delivered a forceful performance during Wednesday's Republican presidential debate, drawing on his experience as a governor and an ambassador to China to distinguish himself from heavyweights Mitt Romney and Rick Perry.

New U.S. jobless claims rose unexpectedly last week, further evidence of a weak labor market just hours before President Barack Obama delivers a major address to Congress on the issue.

New U.S. jobless claims rose unexpectedly last week, further evidence of a weak labor market just hours before President Barack Obama delivers a major address to Congress on the issue.

After learning the economy added no new jobs in August, investors say they are ready for bold ideas from Washington to put people to work.

Stock index futures pointed to a firmer open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 flat to 0.2 percent higher at 0916 GMT.

NASA needs to keep more astronauts on staff than planned as per a new report.

Republican Michele Bachmann's presidential bid is teetering under a challenge from Texas Governor Rick Perry that has created tension within her team and clashes with advisers over fundraising and strategy.

A rebound in Asian stocks ran out of steam Thursday as worries over the widening euro zone crisis and the faltering U.S. economy undermined investor confidence.