UNITED STATES

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), the exalted New York house of finance that is a veritable icon of white-shoe Wall Street firms, is expected to report first-quarter financial results Thursday somewhat weaker than a year-ago, a consensus of bank analysts has noted, as the firm is unlikely to have benefited as much as peers from positive developments that lifted large-cap U.S. banks during the first quarter.

Starbucks Corp has ambitious expansion plans in China, but like any big new emerging market there are teething problems, not least of which is that customers love it so much they stay for hours and hours and sometimes don't even buy a drink.

Gold eased on Wednesday, having fallen for the past three trading days, as the euro came under pressure from continued worries about the euro zone.

Shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) rose Wednesday after the health care products maker reported a 43 percent jump in first-quarter earnings on a higher sales in emerging markets and also raised its full-year earnings guidance.

Halliburton Co , the world's second-largest oilfield services company, on Wednesday reported higher quarterly profits as North American sales reached a record high, lifting its shares in premarket trading.

Asian stock markets rallied on Wednesday as sentiment was boosted by a successful Spanish debt auction and strong global growth forecast from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The deportation of three wives, eighth daughters and one grandchild of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia was delayed because their passports were not ready, their lawyer said Wednesday.

People all across the United States waited on Friday, March 30 to hear if they won the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever: $656 Million. Three lucky ticket holders in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland matched the winning numbers 2-4-23-38-46, Mega Ball 23.

US stock index futures pointed to a lower opening Wednesday after posting strong gains in the previous session.

Asian stock markets surged Wednesday, following solid gains on Wall Street overnight as stronger International Monetary Fund (IMF) global forecast and falling Spanish bond yields buoyed sentiment.

European shares eased and the single currency softened on Wednesday as the region's sovereign debt worries and its weaker economic outlook weighed on investors ahead of a German bond sale that will test demand for ultra-low yielding debt.

Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd agreed that their chief executives would participate in settlement talks to try to resolve a patent lawsuit over smartphone and tablet technology, according to a court filing.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its global growth forecast despite a persisting Eurozone debt crisis.

Exuberant global markets have taken a reality check this month on chronic U.S., Chinese and European growth concerns, and investors should hold companies' relatively rosy profit outlooks up for scrutiny too.

Asian shares rose on Wednesday as firm demand at Spanish debt sales and positive U.S. corporate earnings boosted investor confidence in riskier assets.

Violence, acid attacks and now poisoning. Extremists will try anything to keep girls from seeking an education in Afghanistan.

Stabilizing risk appetite lifted Asian shares and riskier currencies Wednesday, after firm demand at Spanish debt sales, positive corporate earnings, and improved sentiment in Germany boosted investor confidence.

The U.S. economic outlook for next year is being shadowed by what economists are calling the fiscal cliff of 2013 -- the expiration of enormous tax cuts and transfer payments.

Genetically modified corn has been linked to a decrease in a subterranean fungus that forms a symbiotic bond with plant roots, allowing them to draw in more nutrients and water from the surrounding soil in exchange for carbon.

Ford Motor Co. trotted-out some brand, spanking new 2012 Ford Focus Electric cars in New York on Tuesday for a first round of test driving, and the new electric car certainly seems to meet Ford's twin goals of high fuel-economy with a positive driving experience.

In the UK, some Galaxy S2 owners are finally getting their hands on the new Ice Cream Sandwich update, according to CNET UK. SIM-free devices users are now able to download the Android 4.0 software as of April 17th.