UNITED STATES

A scathing new report details the way the United States is failing to attract and retain the immigrant workers -- skilled and unskilled -- who are crucial to thriving in a global economy.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a lower opening Thursday ahead of initial jobless claims and durable orders data.

China's manufacturing activity fell in May compared to April and continued to contract for the seventh straight month, according to the preliminary HSBC Flash Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released Thursday.

The national debate on the Keystone XL pipeline enters the courtroom, as Nebraska landowners sue their state over how the pipeline project could be approved.

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The American Petroleum Institute has again called on Washington to increase domestic production of oil on both federal and public lands, to help consumers by bringing gasoline prices down even further.

U.S. stocks cut losses late in Wednesday's trading session, with two key indexes barely squeaking into positive territory on the strength of surging commodities prices and the shares of companies that produce them.

Do your favorite characters swear?

As soils, freshwater, oceans, forests and biodiversity are being rapidly degraded and climate change puts more pressure on the resources, it is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food.

Obama told the graduating class of 2012 that a different world includes less deployments, stronger alliances and a greater role in global affairs where the United States of America is more respected and safer than they ever were before -- implying a stark contrast between the attitudes of George W. Bush's administration.

The former Secretary of State and four-star general seemed taken aback by a remark from Mitt Romney about Russia being the top geopolitical threat to the U.S.

Are presidential candidates running out of catchphrases?

Kim Dotcom Schmitz, the German-born founder of Megaupload, is now looking to defend himself in court, but in order to do so, he has demanded that his hard drives and his computers -- all 135 of them -- be returned to him so he can use the data for his defense.

Millions of people have pre-ordered the Samsung Galaxy S3; eagerly awaiting its release on May 29, but various reports suggest that the phone has already been released in Dubai.

The latest call to arms comes as world powers met with Iran for talks in Baghdad, with the Iranians promising a new and comprehensive package of proposals.

According to a new report from the Global Business Travel Association, 12- to 15-hour flights to China may soon become the norm for U.S. and European business travelers.

U.S. auto sales will likely reach a 14.2 million seasonally adjusted annual sales rate in May 2012, the greatest year-over-year gain in more than 12 months, as consumers take advantage of credit and low interest rates to replace aging cars. Moreover, increasing car sales are now a primary driver of U.S. GDP growth, according to a Wednesday report by Kelley Blue Book.

The director of the United States Secret Services apologized Wednesday for the actions of the agents implicated in the Colombia prostitution scandal last month, and told lawmakers that they didn't know yet of specific plans to protect the president when they met with local women who could have been a security risk

Mitt Romney has gained a 6-point lead ahead of President Barack Obama in the critical battleground state of Florida -- and an 8-point lead if U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is on the Republican candidate's ticket, according to a new poll.

Mazda Motor Corporation (Tokyo: 7261) and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. (ETR: FIAT) will jointly develop and manufacture a new rear-wheel-drive, roadster sports car based on the next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands, the companies announced Wednesday.

The Russian missile carried a dummy warhead and was fired from a distance of 3730 miles.