Lithuanians are braced for a devastating increase in energy prices when the struggling Baltic nation shuts down its main nuclear power station to comply with EU demands on New Years Eve.

Massive initial interest in a state program to help people make their homes more energy efficient could be tapering off, even as some areas of the state face the likelihood of increased home heating costs in coming years.As of Dec. 16, nearly 19,000 Alas

New legislation may have a much more dire effect on credit card lenders' earnings than analysts had expected, and 2010 could be a brutal year for the companies.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has told car companies they must share their technology with local businesses or leave the country.

The Obama administration pledged on Thursday to back beleaguered mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac no matter how big their losses may be in the next three years.

Banks with influence got access to bailouts, more money

It won't be a happy new year for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers, who face yet another daunting challenge in balancing the state's budget -- this time a shortfall of roughly $21 billion, or maybe more.

In a meeting at the White House, the president absolves small banks of blame for the financial crisis, but says they have a key role to play in the economic recovery

If your budget is tight this year, cutting back on tipping is OK, but make sure you still express your appreciation in some way to the folks who make your life easier.

Because the breaking news on Wal-Mart's practice is, well, sickening: as The New York Times recently reported, "At Wal-Mart, when employees miss one or more days because of illness or other reasons, they generally get a demerit point. Once employees obta