NEW YORK

Stocks and other risky assets rallied Friday, rounding out the quarter with even more price gains on a day that encapsulated the main developments of the year so far: encouraging news out of Europe, better-than-expected consumer sentiment in the United States, and the perceived and steady pull of inflation.

The Higgs boson -- aka the God particle -- grabs headlines these days, but physicists are working on other fascinating experiments that could impact our daily lives and provide fundamental insights into the nature of the universe. Here's a roundup of a few of the notable findings and lingering questions in the field of physics.

Nike received a temporary restraining order Wednesday that prohibits Reebok from selling or producing Tim Tebow-related products.

A new account of Osama bin Laden's life on the run after the September 11, 2001 attacks reveals that the al Qaeda leader spent nine years moving through a series of safe-houses in Pakistan, not hiding in the mountains on the Pakistan-Afghan border as previously believed.

The Sex and the City star suffered a stroke in 2006

The New York state sales tax break is slated to expand on Sunday. Here's how the change impacts you.

Six years after its inception in Sydney, Australia, an estimated 5,251 cities and towns in 147 countries and territories across the globe are expected to celebrate Earth Hour 2012. Co-Founder Andy Ridley explains...

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX), the second largest U.S. oil company, lost its fourth attempt to avoid paying $18 billion in environmental fines for polluting tracts of the Amazon.

Yesterday the Mega Millions jackpot was worth an estimated $500 million with a $359 million cash option. Overnight the jackpot has expanded another whopping $40 million dollars, bringing the grand total for tonight's drawing to $540 million.

Mike Woodson has no idea when Jeremy Lin or Amare Stoudemire will return to the court.

Obese patients with diabetes may benefit more from weight-loss surgery than standard treatment, according to two new studies

The Chicago Purchasing Managers' business barometer, commonly known as the Chicago PMI, for March dropped to 62.2, down from 64.0 in February and below analyst expectations of 63.0.

Visa and MasterCard are reportedly investigating a massive breach of cardholder account data and information, the companies said on Friday.

Jenna Talackova is a beautiful, 23-year-old Vancouver native who embodies drive, determination and charisma. She seemingly boasts all the qualities the perfect Miss Universe Canada would have, yet she was disqualified because she is transgender. Her case reveals the glaringly outdated beauty pageant rules that remain even in the most progressive of societies.

Chelsea Clinton sympathizes with women's issues advocate Sandra Fluke, saying she too had been attacked by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh when she was a kid in the White House.

Japan said Friday it will shoot down a long-range rocket North Korea plans to launch next month if it flies over any part of its territory, the defense minister said.

Rupert Murdoch on Thursday declared war against enemies who have accused his pay-TV operation of sabotaging its rivals, denouncing them as toffs and right wingers stuck in the last century.

The trauma of [the recent killings] is profound for our country ... a little like the trauma that followed in the United States and in New York after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Household income grew at a faster pace in the fourth quarter than previously thought as the jobs market strengthened, a development that could underpin consumer spending.

Two studies published on Thursday may finally explain the alarming decline in U.S. bee populations over the last six years.

What's the best way to watch the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 drive incredibly fast while still looking amazing? On the Top Gear test track, of course.