PENNSYLVANIA

The government on Wednesday lifted limits on the amount the two largest mortgage finance companies can invest in home loans, a move that could unleash billions more dollars to stabilize the housing market and fend off a possible recession

Plans for sweeping government bailouts and wholesale rewriting of mortgage terms are gaining traction as other efforts fall short.

Voters in 24 states make their choices in an unpredictable U.S. presidential campaign on Tuesday, with Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in a close fight and Republican John McCain aiming for a knockout blow against Mitt Romney.

Is the Starbucks formula the ticket for restaurant chains to take their brands national? More than one startup in the food industry is modeling itself after the successful coffee group.

The dollar dropped against most major currencies on Monday with dealers anticipating that the Federal Reserve will have to cut interest rates aggressively after a policy meeting later this week to boost U.S. economic growth.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) on Wednesday revealed that it acquired a carriage for its MGM HD Channel on Verizon's FiOS TV service enabling it to transfer feature film hits from the MGM library to Verizon FiOS TV subscriber households in full high definition.

What better way to start the new year than winding down at a spa

Under growing pressure from law enforcers and parents, MySpace agreed Monday to implement several security measures to protect young users from sexual predators and bullies.

U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday stepped up pressure on lawmakers to pass his Iraq war funding request, while a senior Democrat said a deal might be possible.

U.S. oil surged to a nominal all-time high of $99.29 a barrel on November 21, boosting the annual average price to $69.97.

Groundbreaking for U.S. housing rebounded in October but permits for future building hit a 14-year low, indicating the grim market for home construction will likely continue to worsen. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday housing starts rose 3 percent to an annual pace of 1.229 million units in October.

There are scores of eligible Google millionaires, but as of next month, both its famed billionaire founders appear to be taken.

When Charles Prince replaced Sanford Sandy Weill at the helm of Citigroup Inc, he was given the unenviable task of replacing a legend. Shareholders feared he could never fill Weill's shoes. They may soon be proven right.

Citigroup Inc Chief Executive Charles Prince plans to resign this weekend, the Wall Street Journal said, as the widening subprime mortgage crisis deals a final blow to a reign long under attack. The largest U.S. bank by assets plans to hold an emergency board meeting on Sunday, at which Prince will step down, the newspaper said on Friday, citing people familiar with the situation.

Citigroup Inc's board of directors is holding an emergency meeting this weekend, Dow Jones reported on Friday.

The economy grew at a healthy clip in the third quarter despite a heavy weight from housing, but the strong consumer spending and export performance that held it aloft now look set to fade.

The rapid fall of Stanley O'Neal from the helm of Merrill Lynch & Co Inc has left investors wondering who else in the banking industry may pay a price for the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis.

U.S. oil surged to a nominal all-time high of $92.22 a barrel on Friday, boosting the annual average price to $67.87.

A bipartisan bill that would let victims of identity theft seek restitution for money and time they spent repairing their credit history was introduced on Tuesday in the Senate.

Wells Fargo & Co and other U.S. regional banks on Tuesday reported disappointing third-quarter results, hurt by mounting losses from mortgages and other loans as the U.S. housing market slumps.Earnings fell short of analysts' forecasts at Wells Fargo, Regions Financial Corp and KeyCorp U.S. Bancorp's results topped forecasts, though profit fell. All four banks said loan losses rose.

Amid an uproar over the huge demand for seats to pop idol Hannah Montana's tour, a U.S. federal judge on Monday barred the use of automated software to make mass ticket purchases from the leading box-office service Ticketmaster.