Bigger fights loom after U.S. "fiscal cliff" deal
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans face even bigger budget battles in the next two months after a hard-fought "fiscal cliff" deal narrowly averted devastating tax increases and spending cuts. Full Article
House prices edge down in December - Nationwide
LONDON - House prices edged lower in December, prolonging stagnation in the market, and a pick-up in the new year is unlikely, data from mortgage lender Nationwide showed on Thursday.
Monti's labour reform has little impact
ROME - Overhauling Italy's rigid labour rules was supposed to be Prime Minister Mario Monti's flagship reform, but six months after their approval the measures seem to be having little effect on hiring, firing or the labour market in general. Full Article
U.N. raises Syria death toll to 60,000
AMMAN/GENEVA - More than 60,000 people have died in the Syrian uprising and civil war, the United Nations said, dramatically raising the death toll in a struggle that shows no sign of ending. Full Article
Cash payouts to fall as banks squeeze bonuses
Many European banks are likely to limit the cash portion of staff bonuses as rocky markets, tighter capital rules and costly scandals take their toll, and total bonuses for 2012 could be down by as much as 30 percent, senior managers believe. Full Article
West's sweet tooth proves a boon for Sudan
EN NAHUD, Sudan - Rising global demand for gum arabic, a natural and edible gum taken from acacia trees, has created a rare export success story for Sudan, a country plagued by ethnic conflicts, poverty and poor economic infrastructure. Full Article
Israel's diamond industry seeks pious polishers
RAMAT GAN, Israel - In order to revive a dwindling diamond manufacturing industry, Israel plans to recruit a legion of ultra-Orthodox Jews, who because of their dedication to prayer and study, have been unable or unwilling to join the work force. Full Article
State Department: Hillary Clinton discharged from NY hospital
Jan. 2 - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was discharged from a New York-Presbyterian hospital where she had been receiving treatment for a blood clot. Sarah Irwin reports.
Latest Headlines
Global relief on fiscal cliff misses the point
The unnecessary fight over the U.S. budget ended with another messy and inadequate compromise. Other equally silly clashes loom. Investors may cheer, but their nail-biting was symptomatic of the world’s excessive dependence on dysfunctional American politics. That hasn’t changed. Commentary
Bank CEO survivors’ club may shrink again in 2013
Of the major bank chiefs who had their jobs before the crisis, three remain: Goldman’s Lloyd Blankfein, JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon and Brady Dougan at Credit Suisse. Each has had setbacks. The two U.S. bank heads appear to have shrugged them off, but Dougan looks more vulnerable. Commentary
India tries to move beyond its rape culture
Outrage over a recent gang rape in India has subjected Indian society to the most cauterising of examinations, in which everything – government, political parties, the police and traditional attitudes – is held up through the prism of violated women. Commentary
The three 2012 themes that matter most
It's clear that 2012 was a busy and a terribly volatile year. But which stories will actually matter five years from now? By my count, three: China rising, the Middle East in turmoil, and Europe muddling along. Full Article
Three tech predictions for 2013
Sometimes the most important ideas in tech are hiding in plain sight. In that spirit, here are three predictions for 2013 that are just waiting to happen. No 3D TVs, wearable computers or jet packs for me - at least not this year. Instead: cheap Kindles, the return of netbooks, and a useful Siri. Commentary
How Colombian drug traffickers used HSBC to launder money
What looked like an ordinary case against small-time drug traffickers helped expose large-scale money laundering at one of the world's biggest banks and was one of the most important leads for U.S. investigators pursuing a case against HSBC that eventually led to a $1.9 billion settlement. Full Article
The year in 60 seconds
A multimedia showcase of some of 2012's top stories, including the war in Syria, austerity protests across Europe, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Superstorm Sandy, the U.S. election and the London Olympics. Video