The world waits as cardinals work to choose the next pope
The world is watching the Vatican on Thursday as 133 cardinals work to choose which of them will be the next pope.
Advertisers Grow To Like Facebook
Facebook says its mobile advertising business nearly doubled from the third to fourth quarter of 2012. As a whole, the company's ad business grew at its fastest rate since it went public last May. Some analysts felt the social network had initially been too slow to get into the mobile market.
Gun Hearing Airs Issues, Disagreements On Solutions
More than 200 people crowded into a Senate building on Wednesday for the first hearing on gun violence since the tragic shootings at a Connecticut elementary school. Lawmakers have proposed any number of new regulations — from banning assault rifles to closing loopholes in the background check system.
Polling Firm Gallup Lands In Legal Hot Water
The company's name has been tarnished by a whistle-blower lawsuit alleging that it overcharged the federal government, and by a guilty plea from a former FEMA executive for improperly steering business to the polling firm. For now, Gallup has been suspended from winning any new federal contracts.
In 4th Quarter, Economy Shrank For First Time Since '09
New figures out Wednesday morning show the U.S. economy unexpectedly contracted during the last quarter of 2012.
Gnomes Allowed To Stay On Utility Poles
About 2,300 tiny painting of gnomes have appeared on utility poles all over Oakland, Calif. Since the little guys showed up last year, full-sized residents got into the spirit — blogging and tweeting new sightings. Pacific Gas and Electric was going to evict the bearded figures but when the anonymous artist appealed, PG&E backed off.
Peace Dove Fights Off Sea Gull At Vatican March
The Caravan of Peace is an annual march at the Vatican. As Pope Benedict looked on, two doves, symbolizing peace, were released into St. Peter's Square. It was beautiful until a sea gull assaulted one of the doves. But the dove fought off the much larger gull.
Competition, High Bills Hurt Cable Companies
It's called cord-cutting when people give up their cable TV subscriptions because they feel they get enough to watch over the air and the Internet. Cord-cutting is a big fear for cable TV companies. But there's something new for them to worry about: Young people who never get cable subscriptions in the first place.
Latino Voters Help Push Immigration Changes Forward
President Obama told a friendly audience in Las Vegas Tuesday that the prospects are bright for an overhaul of immigration laws, now that bipartisan congressional leaders are on board. The new sense of urgency comes after Latinos turned out in large numbers last fall to help re-elect the president.
Fourth-Quarter Reports: Boeing Profits Up, Amazon Down
Despite the groundings of its 787 because of battery trouble, the aerospace company plans to deliver dozens more Dreamliners this year. The cyberspace retailer, meanwhile, reported a big drop in profits.