U.S.

Futures on major U.S. indices pared earlier losses and point to modestly lower opening on Thursday after the Department of Labor reported that weekly jobless claims fell sharply last week.

Michelle Obama asks American students to study in China, stressing the need for competitiveness and cooperation

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a lower opening on Thursday ahead of economic data, including weekly jobless claims and existing home sales.

President Hu Jintao on Thursday will try to persuade often hostile U.S. lawmakers that China is a threat-free engine of growth, after a White House summit sought to narrow rifts between the world's top two economies.

The United States and China on Wednesday agreed on $45 billion in U.S. export deals and to give U.S. companies greater access to China's $88 billion-plus government contracts market at the start of Chinese President Hu Jintao's four-day state visit.

China is extending its so-called panda diplomacy agreement with the United States, letting giant pandas stay at the Washington national zoo for another five years, a Chinese conservation official said on Wednesday.

If one had to pick the next 'AAA' country to lose their golden ratings, the U.S. would be a pretty good choice.

Wells Fargo and US Bancorp said lending profits are being squeezed by low interest rates, but improving credit quality helped both banks post higher-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings.

(Corrects first paragraph to show both Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp posted higher, not higher-than-expected, earnings)

(Corrects first paragraph to show both Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp posted higher, not higher-than-expected, earnings)

US Bancorp reported higher-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, aided by lower loan losses and the largest increase in new loans since the fourth quarter of 2008.

US stocks traded mixed in early trade on Wednesday, following mixed earnings from financial heavyweights Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo and a government report showed that U.S. housing starts fell more than expected in December.

Construction of new homes in the U.S. fell during December but building permits rose surprisingly, indicating the continued weakness in the housing industry, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a lower opening on Wednesday after Goldman Sachs reported a decline in quarterly profit and a government report showed that U.S. housing starts fell more than expected in December.

US Bancorp reported higher-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, aided by lower loan losses and the largest increase in new loans since the fourth quarter of 2008.

Mortgage applications in the U.S. rose during the week ended January 14 as interest rates dipped to lowest levels in a month, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said on Wednesday.

Even as the U.S. and China are preparing for what is termed as the most important heads of state level meeting in a decade, Japan has come out strongly for healthy ties between the world's two largest economies which happen to be political adversaries as well.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a flat opening on Wednesday ahead of quarterly earnings from top investment bank Goldman Sachs and key housing data due to be released before market opens.

US stocks traded mixed in early trade on Tuesday following weaker-than-expected earnings from Citigroup, while declines in Apple shares dragged technology-heavy Nasdaq lower.

It was a thrilling second day of the Australian Open with the second batch of players progressing into the next round. There were twists and turns, some surprise wins but mostly routine victories, all adding to a scintillating day of tennis.

Ford has topped the list of search queries in the entire automotive brand category in the U.S. over the last 30 days, followed by BMW, Audi and Nissan, according to a report by Google's North American auto team.