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Consumers spent more on autos, furniture, clothing and gas in July, pushing up retail sales by the largest amount in four months. The gain signaled that Americans are a little more confident in the economy and could helped dispel fears that the country is headed for another recession....

A 12-year-old boy who spent as long as 20 minutes immersed in the Pacific Ocean surf before he was rescued is amazing his family. "Maybe there is a miracle that's happening here," the boy's father, Chad Ostrander of Spanaway, Wash., told reporters Tuesday.

The Fed spoke - and financial markets rallied. The Dow Jones industrial average surged more than 429 points, its tenth highest point gain in history and the biggest since March 2009. It was just one day after the Dow had its worst point decline since 2008.

Fewer people died in national parks in the first seven months of the year compared with the same period last year.

Job growth in the U.S. rebounded higher in July and the unemployment rate edged lower, the government reported Friday, providing a pinch of good news amid turmoil in global markets and intensifying fears of a recession.

Deep discounts and the warmest July weather in decades should help retail chains report a rise in monthly sales, with many expecting warehouse clubs and high-end chains to lead the way.

Payroll firm ADP said private businesses added 114,000 jobs in July, more than expected, but similarly strong figures last month contrasted with government data.

Foreclosures declined in more than 84% of U.S. metro areas during the first half of the year, according to the latest report from RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed properties.

New single-family home sales unexpectedly fell in June, but a sharp rise in prices and declining supply suggested the market for new houses was starting to stabilize, a government report showed on Tuesday.

Charging its most avid readers for digital access was officially not a dumb idea for The New York Times. In its second quarter earnings announcement, the Times Co. included some attention-getting figures for its new digital subscription program, which launched in March. Since then, the paper has amassed some 224,000 digital-only subscribers. Another 57,000 subscribe to replica editions delivered on e-readers like the Kindle and the Nook. On top of that, there are the 100,000 people getting e-subscriptions sponsored by Lincoln.