ELECTIONS

Tens of thousands of flag-waving and chanting protesters on Saturday called for a disputed parliamentary election to be rerun and an end to Vladimir Putin's rule, increasing pressure on the Russian leader as he tries to win back the presidency.

Europe faces another year of dismal economic performance in 2012 that will weigh on global growth, but emerging markets and the United States should at least keep the world economy moving in the right direction.

The U.S. Justice Department has rejected the South Carolina voter ID law, calling it discriminatory, citing concerns about the law's effect on African-American voters.

Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry have failed to qualify for Virginia's Republican presidential primaries.

The top after-market NASDAQ Stock Market gainers Friday are: Parlux Fragrances, Neurocrine Biosciences, Associated Banc-Corp, Sears Holdings, and James River Coal. The top after-market NASDAQ Stock Market losers are: Diodes, Broadcom, JDS Uniphase, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, and Hudson City Bancorp.

Huge U.S. corporations are forming lobbying groups to try to influence what could become the hottest congressional debate over comprehensive tax reform in a generation.

The Egyptian economy, battered after months of uncertainty and violence that has followed the political upheaval in that country, is hovering dangerously close to crisis status.

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's guilty verdict and seven-year jail sentence was upheld Friday by a Ukrainian appeals court.

The temporary payroll tax fix gives President Barack Obama and the Democrats a political win over Republicans

Washington's ability to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict became more complicated Thursday after the militant Palestinian group Hamas announced plans to join the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), furthering its reconciliation with rival Palestinian faction Fatah.

Plans to expand the multi-billion dollar food subsidy programme are a likely vote-winner for the ruling Congress party as it heads into key local elections in 2012, but could worsen strained finances as a flagging economy crimps revenue.

Pakistan's powerful military pledged on Friday to continue supporting democracy, reiterating it was not planning a takeover as tensions grew over a controversial memo alleging an army plot to seize power.

As many Americans put off holiday shopping until the last minute, Republican primary voters continue to browse the various candidates looking for the perfect fit, said FBR Capital Markets.

Pakistan's powerful military pledged Friday to continue supporting democracy, reiterating it was not planning a takeover as tensions grew over a controversial memo alleging an army plot to seize power.

Pakistan's powerful military and civilian leaders are headed for a showdown over a memo that accused the country's generals of plotting a coup, newspaper editorials predicted Friday.

House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner on Thursday caved in to a growing chorus of criticism from both within and outside his Republican party and agreed to a short-term deal to extend a payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans.

Will Citizens United doom New York City's tough campaign finance laws at the U.S. Supreme Court?

Medvedev’s reforms would likely not satisfy Putin’s opponents and protesters.

While his opponents are blanketing Iowa and New Hampshire with last-minute appeals for support, Newt Gingrich is stuck in Virginia, trying to get enough signatures to get his name on the ballot for a primary that doesn't take place until March 6.

The bill proposes a 45,000 euro fine and jail sentence of up to one year for those who violate the law.

There are only ten days left for Iowa - the first GOP caucus state to go to polls - and there are still no signs of a clear Republican frontrunner. Furthermore, given an erratic approval graph, the best chance for President Obama and his hopes of a re-election will have to be a weak Republican candidate. Keeping that in mind, the Democrats and Obama will be happy to face former U.S. Speaker Newt Gingrich rather than the former Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney.