NEW YORK – The pace of growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector in February ran at its strongest since November as new orders rebounded to the highest in over a year and inflation subsided, a survey showed on Wednesday. The Institute for Supply Management said its index of national factory …

This week, Gails explains that a little gold can make your portfolio shine. Hi, Gail — What’s up with gold? The price seems to have soared this year. Is that because higher oil prices are triggering higher inflation? My brother just invested in some gold because he’s convinced it’s going …

SAN DIEGO – Former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who collected $2.4 million in homes, yachts, antique furnishings and other bribes on a scale unparalleled in the history of Congress, was sentenced Friday to eight years and four months in prison, the longest term meted out to a congressman in decades. …

MINSK, Belarus – The week of unprecedented protests that followed disputed elections was just a start, and the opponents of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko need to step back and gather broader support, an opposition leader said Monday. In an interview with The Associated Press, Alexander Milinkevich likened the protests to …

BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Union expressed concern for the first time Wednesday that Microsoft’s (MSFT) new Vista operating system could break antitrust rules, a day before the company defends itself against EU charges that it has not obeyed an earlier ruling. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes wrote to Microsoft …

LAS VEGAS – One month after debuting a surreal re-creation of the Beatles’ musical career, Cirque du Soleil announced plans to open an Elvis Presley-themed show on the Las Vegas strip. Known for its extravagant theatrical performances combining live music, dance and acrobatics, the Quebec-based circus troupe has teamed with …

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – A voter registration group with Republican ties has been banished from Wal-Mart stores in Tennessee for failing to meet the retailer’s standards of nonpartisanship and may soon be shut out of stores in California and Nevada, the retailer’s spokesman said Tuesday. Liberty Consultants wanted to register Wal-Mart …

LONDON – The 12th suspect charged in the alleged plot to down U.S.-bound airliners faced a court appearance on Friday. Umair Hussain, 24, was charged Thursday with having information about a possible terrorist act and not disclosing it, Metropolitan Police said. Of those charged so far, eight are accused of …

Online storefronts like eBay (EBAY) have enabled more Americans to go into business for themselves, according to new Census Bureau statistics. The number of self-employed Americans grew by 1 million, to 19.5 million, between 2003 and 2004. While that represents an increase of roughly 4.7 percent, the number of electronic …

MARIETTA, Ohio – Prosecutors dropped terrorism charges Tuesday against two Michigan men who were arrested after buying large numbers of cell phones, saying they couldn’t prove a terrorism link. The dismissal, in a one-page court document, came the day after Washington County Prosecutor James Schneider said he didn’t have enough …