With record highs in sight, stocks face roadblocks

NEW YORK (Reuters) - If Wall Street needs to climb a wall of worry, it will have plenty of opportunity next week. Major U.S. stock indexes will make another attempt at reaching all-time records, but the fitful pace that has dominated trading is likely to continue. Next Friday's unemployment report and the hefty spending cuts that look like they about to take effect will be at the forefront....

Read More..

U.S. evolves on same-sex marriage

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe president and the nation have shifted perspectives on same-sex marriageSupreme Court ruling on California's same-sex marriage ban a critical testGrowing public support for gay marriage give proponents hope for changeWashington (CNN) -- The nation's growing acceptance of same-sex marriage has happened in slow and painstaking moves, eventually building into a momentum that is sweeping...

Read More..

Redflex execs out as scandal grows in red light camera firm

The president, chief financial officer and top lawyer for Chicago's red light camera company resigned this week amid an escalating...

Read More..

Kerry to stress need for Egyptian consensus for IMF deal: U.S. official

CAIRO (Reuters) - Secretary of State John Kerry plans to stress the importance of Egypt reaching an IMF agreement and achieving political consensus for painful economic reforms, a U.S. official said on Saturday. Speaking shortly before Kerry arrived in Cairo for a two-day visit, the official said if Egypt could agree on a $4.8 billion loan from the IMF, this would bring in other funds...

Read More..

Stock futures begin March lower as sequester looms

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were lower on Friday, indicating a weak start to the month of March, as investors looked ahead to U.S. government budget cuts that were widely expected to take effect at the end of the day. Equities have been on a tear lately, rising for four straight months to approach five-year highs while the Dow climbed to within striking distance of an all-time...

Read More..

Syria war is everybody's problem

Syrians search for survivors and bodies after the Syrian regime attacked the city of Aleppo with missiles on February 23.STORY HIGHLIGHTSFrida Ghitis: We are standing by as Syria rips itself apart, thinking it's not our problemBeyond the tragedy in human terms, she says, the war damages global stabilityGhitis: Syria getting more and more radical, jeopardizing forces of democracyGhitis: Peace counts...

Read More..

Washington stares down start of sequester cuts

NEW YORK, March 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. government hurtled today toward making deep spending cuts that threaten to hinder the...

Read More..

Stock futures tick higher ahead of GDP, jobless data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Thursday as investors were reluctant to make big bets following a sharp two-day rally and ahead of a rash of data. Analysts said a pullback may be in store a day after major equity indexes posted their biggest daily advance since early January. Over the past two sessions, the S&P 500 has gained 1.9 percent, rising back...

Read More..

Knicks overcome Curry's 54 to beat Warriors

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Curry rose for another jumper, and by then even the Knicks probably figured it would go in.Curry had hardly missed in a scintillating second half of the NBA's most electric performance this season, the crowd cheering even before the ball left his hands.This time, Raymond Felton jumped with him, making the play New York needed to finally withstand Curry.Felton's blocked shot...

Read More..

Taiwan ebullient over Ang Lee's Oscar

STORY HIGHLIGHTSAng Lee's name beamed on building in Taiwan after Oscar winLee, born in Taiwan, won award for best director for "Life of Pi"Lee's win created excitement in Taiwan and China, both claimed him as their ownRyan: "In some ways it feels like 'Linsanity' all over again"Editor's note: Andrew Ryan is a host and producer at Radio Taiwan International, a government-owned station that broadcasts...

Read More..

Chicago archdiocese to close 5 schools in cost-cutting move

Budget cuts announced Wednesday by the Archdiocese of Chicago signal that the area's Roman Catholics are entering a period of...

Read More..

Stock futures little changed ahead of Bernanke, data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited a second round of testimony in Congress by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for signs of whether the Fed will continue its economic stimulus program. Economic data was also in focus with U.S. durables goods and homes data due out at 8:30 a.m. ET (1330) GMT and 10:00 a.m. ET (1500 GMT),...

Read More..

Minnesota takes down No. 1 Indiana 77-73

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Retaining that No. 1 national ranking has been elusive throughout this wild season in college basketball, and Indiana was the latest to lose at the top — again.Most important and maybe more challenging for the Hoosiers, however, is holding on to first place in the tough-as-ever Big Ten.Trevor Mbakwe had 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting and 12 rebounds to help Minnesota take down top-ranked...

Read More..

Yahoo CEO right to cut remote work?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSRaymond Fisman: Marissa Mayer needs to revive Yahoo, and face time at the office is keyFisman: Granted, this goes against Utopian vision of everyone working from cafes Fisman: In-person work means innovations, avoids misunderstood directivesHe says more jobs will get done and it'll encourage those who work in a half-empty officeEditor's note: Raymond Fisman is the Lambert Family professor...

Read More..

Winter storm: Lingering snow could mean messy commute

Tom updates Tuesday's storm. (WGN - Chicago) The storm that socked the Chicago area with the season's biggest snowfall has tapered...

Read More..

Iran upbeat on nuclear talks, West wary

ALMATY (Reuters) - Iran gave an upbeat assessment of two days of nuclear talks with world powers that ended on Wednesday, but Western officials said Tehran must start taking concrete steps to ease mounting concerns about its atomic activity. The first negotiations between Iran and six world powers in eight months ended without a breakthrough in Almaty, but they agreed to meet again at...

Read More..