Stocks end higher for sixth straight week, tech leads

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Nasdaq composite stock index closed at a 12-year high and the S&P 500 index at a five-year high, boosted by gains in technology shares and stronger overseas trade figures. The S&P 500 also posted a sixth straight week of gains for the first time since August. The technology sector led the day's gains, with the S&P 500 technology index...

Read More..

Michigan, Kansas go down as run continues

There goes another one, and another one.No. 3 Michigan, fifth-ranked Kansas and No. 11 Louisville all lost on Saturday, continuing a perilous stretch for the Top 25.The Wolverines became the third top-three team to fall this week when Ben Brust hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with less than 40 seconds left in overtime, leading Wisconsin to a 65-62 victory. Brust also tied the game at the end of regulation...

Read More..

China needs smog-free air in a can

Hazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over Beijing Hazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous smog over BeijingHazardous...

Read More..

Joyous memories at Hadiya Pendleton funeral

Slain teen Hadiya Pendleton was remembered today as a laughing youth who brought love and happiness to all her family and friends.Despite...

Read More..

Israel's Lieberman says Palestinian peace accord impossible

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has no chance of signing a permanent peace accord with the Palestinians and should instead seek a long-term interim deal, the most powerful political partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. The remarks by Avigdor Lieberman, an ultranationalist whose joint party list with Netanyahu narrowly won a January 22 election while centrist challengers...

Read More..

Stocks end higher for sixth straight week, tech leads

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Nasdaq composite stock index closed at a 12-year high and the S&P 500 index at a five-year high, boosted by gains in technology shares and stronger overseas trade figures. The S&P 500 also posted a sixth straight week of gains for the first time since August. The technology sector led the day's gains, with the S&P 500 technology index...

Read More..

Bryant leads Lakers over Bobcats 100-93

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Even though Kobe Bryant and the Lakers were able to escape with a 100-93 win Friday night over the Charlotte Bobcats, the Los Angeles star was left feeling "irritated" after the game.Irritated at his team's shot selection.Irritated at his team's selfishness.And especially irritated that the Lakers needed to overcome a 20-point deficit to beat the NBA's worst team."We have to...

Read More..

How Obama can end Congo conflict

Conflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoSTORY HIGHLIGHTSPresident Obama can help end the Congo conflict for good, says Vava TampaObama has asked Rwanda to end all support to armed groups in the CongoFDLR militia gang is a threat to stability and must leave CongoObama must push for change in Congolese government, argues TampaEditor's note: Vava Tampa is...

Read More..

Blizzard wallops Northeast, thousands without power

A blizzard slammed into the northeastern United States on Friday, snarling traffic, disrupting thousands of flights and prompting five governors to declare states of...

Read More..

Japan may release data proving Chinese radar incident: media

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan may release data it says will prove a Chinese naval vessel directed its fire control radar at a Japanese destroyer near disputed islands in the East China Sea, local media reported. Japan has said a Chinese frigate on January 30 locked its targeting radar on a Japanese destroyer - a step that usually precedes the firing of weapons - but China insists that its vessel...

Read More..

Oil, copper, Asian shares gain on solid China trade data

TOKYO (Reuters) - Oil, copper and Asian shares rose on Friday after China's strong trade data set the scene for economic recovery, although investors opted to book profits before next week's Chinese new year holidays, limiting gains. European markets are seen climbing, with financial spreadbetters predicting London's FTSE 100 <.ftse>, Paris's CAC-40 <.fchi> and Frankfurt's...

Read More..

Mahan and Knox share Pebble Beach lead

(Reuters) - Hunter Mahan, who has long relished playing golf on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula, birdied five of his first seven holes on the way to a share of the first-round lead in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Thursday. The 30-year-old American fired a sparkling six-under-par 66 in mainly sunny conditions on the hosting Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of three venues being used...

Read More..

Facts? Shmacts. It's only a movie

STORY HIGHLIGHTSGene Seymour: "Lincoln" error on emancipation vote shines light on how films tell historyHe says Oscar chances for "Argo," "Zero Dark Thirty" may be hurt after facts questionedHe says films have long gotten history wrong but are useful in showing society's perceptionsSeymour: It's art, not history, sometimes a vision, something we wish had been or could be Editor's note: Gene Seymour...

Read More..

Chicago scandal leads to shake-up at red-light camera firm

The chairman of the Australian company behind Chicago's red-light program resigned this week and trading in the company's stock...

Read More..