GOLD

Spot gold rose more than 1 percent Thursday, recovering from its biggest fall in more than three years in the previous session when U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke failed to signal further monetary easing.

Precious metals and the broader market headed in opposite directions Wednesday, with gold taking its biggest single-day dive in two-and-a-half months, as a February full of good economic news helped drive the price of precious metals down on the day and month as a whole.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday job growth was better than expected and inflation under control, leaving markets thinking central bank intervention was a long way off. The upshot was a dollar rally that hammered gold, stocks and government bonds.

Gold fell 3 percent on Wednesday for its biggest one-day drop in 2-1/2 months, as a dollar rally following U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's comment on an encouraging job recovery prompted funds to heavily unwind bullish bets.

Cee-Lo Green has optioned a memoir with Grand Central Books to be published in 2013: what should The Ladykiller name the book?

Gold plunged 3.8 percent Wednesday after the dollar firmed and investors took profits from a recent jump in the price of the yellow metal.

Saturday, March 4 marks the start of the Iditarod 2012 when mushers from around the world will embark on a 1,150-mile trail of some of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer.

The European Central Bank gave the world's financial system a €529.5 ($712) billion Leap Year Day gift, providing financial institutions with that amount in one percent-interest, three-year loans this week, the bank announced Wednesday morning.

Crude oil is predominantly priced and traded in U.S. dollars, although Iran has already accepted payments in some other currencies.

Markets closed higher Tuesday through a choppy session, as indicators gave conflicting signals on the U.S. economy, while Ireland announced it would hold a referendum on Europe's new fiscal treaty. All eyes are now turned to European Central Bank's second liquidity injection set to take place Wednesday.

When all was said and done, Matthew Kenseth brought home the gold at the conclusion of the NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series biggest race of the year, the Daytona 500. Check out the slideshow of some the best photos for the night.

Indian gold futures, which struck a two-month high last week, could extend gains to top 29,000 rupees, a level keenly watched by the market, due to higher crude oil prices and weakness in the dollar versus the euro, analysts said.

In an amusing development, the Iranian government has hailed the country's first win at the Oscars, beating four contenders including one from Israel, as a victory over its rival Jewish state.

Despite talk of an improving economy and a surge in stock markets, doomsayers have warned of tougher times ahead for Americans with an imminent financial crash looming in the near future.

Turkish authorities confirmed the discovery of a 1,500-year-old Gospel which is believed to have foretold the coming of Prophet Mohammed to Earth, attracting the attention from Vatican, recent reports said.

Jason Varitek, the longest tenured member of the Red Sox, is expected to announce his retirement on Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla., a major league source confirmed to ESPN Boston on Monday.

Uggie the dog may have not won an Oscar directly for his role in The Artist, but the 10-year-old Jack Russell stole the show for his cute looks and crafty stunts.

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's mining company Frisco said on Monday its fourth-quarter net profit had nearly quintupled from a year earlier.

The last silent film to win an Oscar was Wings in 1929 and the story of what happened to the movie after its release closely echos the plot of 2012 winner The Artist.

The little film that could, The Artist, was the toast of Hollywood last night as it took home the biggest prize of them all: the Oscar for Best Picture.

As Syrians head to the polls, the European Union imposed a new set of sanctions on Monday in an attempt to get President Bashar al-Assad to call off his assault on the city of Homs and on opposition protestors.