U.S.

Death sentences in the United States continued to decline with just 46 executions in 2010, down 12 percent compared to a year earlier.

The U.S. economy grew 2.6 percent in the third quarter, according to a third estimate by the U.S. Commerce Department, up from the 2.5 percent estimate given in November.

The gallery which is slated to open just before President's Day will be the only place in the world where visitors can see and touch all 44 US presidents.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to flat opening on Wednesday after government data showed that US economic activity grew at a 2.6 percent annual rate in the third quarter.

The U.S. home loan demand fell sharply in the week ended Dec.17, posting a decline for fourth straight weeks as the mortgage rates hit a six-month high.

Contrary to the prevailing view, the U.S. economy will gain growth momentum in the year ahead, while GDP will grow stronger in Europe and Japan, research firm IHS Global Insight has said in its forecast for 2011.

The Gold Price touched a 4-session high at $1390 per ounce in early London trade on Tuesday, rising for Euro and UK investors as world stock markets hit new two-year highs.

U.S. stocks advanced in early trade on Tuesday as upbeat earnings from Adobe Systems, and a couple of M&A deals buoyed sentiment.

The demand for gasoline might never get back to levels seen during 2006, as alternate forms of fuel gain more popularity, a report by AP said.

S&P 500 Index gained 3.00 points, or 0.24 percent, to trade at 1,246.91 at 09:50 a.m. EST. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 7.11 points, or 0.06 percent, to trade at 11,499.02. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.20 percent to trade at 2,648.31.

Apple’s iPhone has been widening US trade deficit with China even though it is entirely designed and owned by an American company, says a study.

Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe, has threatened to nationalize all British and American companies operating in his country unless Western sanctions are eliminated.

U.S. stocks advanced in early trade on Thursday, following better-than-expected initial jobless claims and housing starts data.

Wholesale-market Gold Investment bullion-bar prices slipped back to an overnight low beneath $1380 per ounce Thursday lunchtime in London, trading 0.5% down for the week as world equities crept higher and the US Dollar eased back on the forex market.

Applications for jobless benefits in the U.S. fell unexpectedly for the week ended Dec. 11, posting a decline for two consecutive weeks.

A new supercomputer from the Air Force is built out of 1,716 Playstation 3 consoles.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices remained-range bound on Thursday ahead of economic data, including key weekly U.S. jobs data from the government.

The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has called for enhanced federal oversight in the emerging field of synthetic biology. The panel's approach recognized the great potential of this burgeoning field of science, including life saving medicines, and the still distant risks posed by the field.

The war in Afghanistan is unlikely to be won, US Intelligence reports suggest. Even as President Barack Obama is all set to announce policy review on the war in Afghanistan, two classified reports state that it could be improbable to end Taliban and Al Qaeda insurgency in the Tribal regions of the country. The reports however, have fueled a bitter row between the intelligence agencies and the military over who has a better perspective and proximity in the war zone.

General Motors has paid $2.1 billion to complete the repurchase of preferred shares issued under a federal government bailout, the U.S. Treasury said on Wednesday. With this the auto maker has brought the total sum recouped by taxpayers to more than 23 billion dollars.

Industrial production showed signs of recovery as it rose more-than-expected in November, a report by the U.S. Commerce Department showed. Total capacity utilization for the industry rose to 75.2 percent during the month.