COMMODITIES

The tiny central African nation of Rwanda elected the world's first women-dominated legislature.

The focus of the U.S. political world is on Iowa and its caucuses, as it marks the first, popular-based data point of the 2012 campaign for president of the United States. But that does not mean Iowa is predictive.

BP has called on contractor Halliburton to pay all costs and expenses it incurred to clean up the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, which the oil major previously put at around $42 billion.

The Indian economy and the stock markets for the whole of 2011 was bad. One has to forget 2011 and gear up for a challenging new year 2012.

So, why would Philadelphia's story be so much worse than other similarly troubled metropolises?

Reflecting the isolated nation's extreme paranoia about the outside world, North Korea is virtually an armed camp.

India’s relationship with North Korea seems rather strange -- however, from a purely geo-political strategic basis, perhaps it makes sense.

The year 2011 was the year of the protester. What will 2012 bring?

A nuclear-powered Iran poses a grave threat not only to the Jewish state, but to the entire Middle East, warned Israeli defense chief.

February gold hit a fresh six-month low of $1,523.90 per ounce overnight. Gold has been under intense pressure since it closed at $1,741.80 per ounce Dec. 7.

Technology companies appear likely to resume battle in 2012 on three major fronts of the patent wars: smartphone designs, operating systems and semiconductor chip sets. Despite passage of copyright reform under the America Invents Act in September, technology lawsuits persist and experienced lawyers worry that little will change.

As 2011’s mediocre stock market returns become final, what should technology investors seek for U.S. initial public offerings of technology companies for 2012?

With the Iowa caucuses just five days away, a new poll shows Ron Paul and Mitt Romney in a statistical dead heat for first place and Rick Santorum, against all odds, in third place. Newt Gingrich, who held a wide lead last month, has fallen into fourth place.

Investors didn’t get rich owning generalized technology stocks but they fared well with some of the traditional winners with good management and proven technology.

Persian Gulf oil producing nations are prepared to compensate for any loss of oil in the world market, a senior Saudi official said after Iran amped-up its rhetoric Tuesday about blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for the world’s oil.

Shares of BlackBerry developer Research in Motion soared as much as 7 percent Tuesday on speculation it may attract a suitor in 2012 or take steps to improve shareholder value.

As Congress debates the Stop Online Piracy Act and Go Daddy suffers for its early support, many Americans still don't know exactly what SOPA bill is or how it would affect their day-to-day lives. Here, read a complete and easy-to-grasp guide of the controversial bill and why it's so dangerous, from why it's supported to the threat of censorship it poses.

Both Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich have been ousted from the primary after failing to collect enough valid signatures to run, and while Perry's campaign has been over for months, the loss of Super Tuesday state Virginia for Gingrich is a devastating blow. Months after he was declared dead-on-arrival, is Gingrich's comeback already over?

Rick Santorum has been a sideshow for most of the Republican presidential campaign. Now, two weeks before the Iowa caucuses, he has nabbed endorsements from two evangelical leaders, Bob Vander Plaats and Chuck Hurley. But is it too little, too late?

No doubt 2011 was a major year for technology in part because it touched everyone differently. Following are some of the highlights and lowlights of the year:

Oracle, the biggest enterprise software developer, is scheduled to report second-quarter results late Tuesday. Here are some expert tips on what to watch in the announcement.

Newt Gingrich has repeatedly attacked federal judges and insisted that under a Gingrich administration he would boot judges that made decisions he didn't agree with, a stance that many suggest is unconstitutional.

Here are some items to watch when Oracle reports: earnings, Europe outlook, cash, deferred revenue, third-quarter earnings forecast

Is there something mystical about the number 69?

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning won't play for the team during its remaining two games, team vice chairman Bill Polian announced Sunday.

Oil, the lifeblood of the global economy, has plunged more than 10 percent in the past five days, to about $93 per barrel Friday, and the compelling question for investors and motorists alike is -- in early 2012 where does oil head?

Inflation at the consumer level remains moderate -- and that should give the U.S Federal Reserve more time to stimulate the U.S. economy -- something that's good news for investors and job seekers alike.

The second-biggest slump in gold prices since the financial crisis has rattled bullion bulls, as implied volatility in the gold options market is subdued, suggesting the bullion is seeking to find a new range.

Is now a good time to consider the stock of AutoZone (AZO)?