Picking college, major, comes down to money

The financial burden of paying for college has families cost-cutting before their kids even apply to schools. And it's affecting students' decisions about not only where to go, but what to study, according to survey data given exclusively to USA TODAY.
The survey by Discover Student Loans, to be released Thursday, found that...Read more...

New iPhone, 4G technology may mean Apple, China Mobile tie-up closer

Apple is expected to unveil its redesigned iPhone next month and may also release a cheaper, emerging market smartphone. [ID:nL2N0GC0DH] Crucially, it also now has Qualcomm Inc chips that can operate even on China's obscure networks. At the same time, Beijing is expected to grant 4G licenses by the year-end that favor the biggest of its domestic mobile operators. Read more...

Wal-Mart Blames Economy And Payroll Taxes For Slowed Earnings

Wal-Mart is blaming depressed demand amid a still-shaky economy and a rise in payroll taxes for disappointing earnings in the quarter ending July 31. Read more...

For This Tepid Economy, There's Only One Way Out

A wonder of America is that, after every downturn, the economy inevitably regains its old, formidable growth trajectory. In good times, the U.S. expands its output faster than any other developed nation. That robust performance in the long periods between recessions is what we count on to consistently raise our standard of living, and what Americans consider normal. But now, the U.S. faces a future of diminished expectations like nothing witnessed since World War II. Unless business and government take daring, extraordinary measures, the economy is destined to generate sluggish growth that's more than one-third slower than in the past. That scenario will stifle incomes, pressure corporate earnings and stock prices, sap tax revenues required to support the rising ranks of...Read more...

Euro Zone’s Recession Ends, at Least for Now

Bolstered by stronger consumption and investment in Germany as well as growth in France, Europe broke out of recession in the second quarter, ending its longest postwar contraction, official data showed on Wednesday. But the weak upturn, high unemployment and...Read more...

Despite focusing on the economy, Obama's approval slides

The number of Americans who approve of President Obama's handling of the economy has slid seven points since June to 35 percent, according to a new poll from Gallup.
During the same period, the number of Americans who approve of Mr. Obama's handling of taxes and the budget deficit dropped five points to 36 and 26 percent, respectively. The president' overall job approval rating dropped 3 points to 44 percent. Read more...

Massachusetts Added 300 Jobs in July

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development today reported that the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) preliminary estimates show that while Massachusetts added 300 jobs in July, the total unemployment rate increased to 7.2 percent.

The private sector added 2,500 jobs in July as Leisure and Hospitality; Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; Information; Financial Activities; and Professional, Scientific, and Business Services all added jobs. Read more...