Shares dip as investors brace for euro zone data

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares weakened on Thursday as investors braced for the year's first reading on euro zone business activity for 2013 after data showed that France, the region's second-biggest economy, may be in recession. Markets are hoping for a modest improvement in the estimates for manufacturing and service sector activity across the euro area for January, due later, to...

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Defending champ Azarenka into final against Li

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Victoria Azarenka overcame some anxiety, a sore left knee, and a slew of frustrating forehand errors before fending off American teenager Sloane Stephens to reach the Australian Open final against Li Na.For the second time in two days, 19-year-old Stephens sat patiently in a courtside chair late in the second set while an experienced, older player took a medical timeout.On...

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Close Encounter of Jupiter and Moon Wows Stargazers

A night sky meeting of Jupiter and the moon, called a conjunction, amazed skywatchers around the world last night (Jan. 21).The waxing gibbous moon and Jupiter — the two brightest objects in last night’s sky — appeared to be almost touching for part of the night before the moon crept below and past the gas giant, continuing on in its orbit.Judging by the reactions of SPACE.com readers, the celestial...

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Benghazi blame-game is useless

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Bulls rally to beat Pistons 85-82

As the United Center rocked and the Bulls celebrated Marco Belinelli's go-ahead, three-point play with 7.5 seconds left, Joakim...

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North Korea to target U.S. with nuclear, rocket tests

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Thursday it would carry out further rocket launches and a nuclear test that would target the United States, dramatically stepping up its threats against a country it called its "sworn enemy". The announcement by the country's top military body came a day after the U.N. Security Council agreed to a U.S.-backed resolution to censure and sanction North...

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European shares edge up as economic sentiment improves

LONDON (Reuters) - European stocks edged toward 22 month highs on Wednesday, driven by upbeat corporate earnings, an easing in fears about the U.S. hitting its debt ceiling and a better outlook for the global economy. Strong investor confidence data from Germany, Japan's plans to shore up the world's third largest economy, and improving economic numbers this month from the world's top...

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Williams loses in quarters; Azarenka into semis

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Serena Williams' dominating run at the majors ended in a painful loss to American teenager Sloane Stephens.After the biggest victory of her life, the 19-year-old Stephens is headed to the semifinals of the Australian Open.Williams hurt her back in the eighth game of the second set, slowing down her serve, restricting her movement and causing her obvious pain.Stephens kept...

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The President Says He’ll Act on Climate Change. Does He Mean It This Time?

With just a few sentences in his second inaugural address, President Obama gave a big jolt of encouragement to environmentalists that he would vigorously pursue climate change initiatives in his second term.After pledging to continue to fix the economy, the President quickly pivoted to global warming:“We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to...

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2013 could be 'climate game-changer'

An ice sculpture entitled 'Minimum Monument' by Brazilian artist Nele Azevedo outside Berlin's Concert Hall, September 2, 2009.STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe "neglected" risk of climate change seems to be rising to the top of leaders' agendasExtreme weather events are costing the global economy billions of dollars each yearGas can be an important bridge to a lower carbon future but it's not the answerMore investment...

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