Banks fall short in helping struggling homeowners
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:09:03 -0400
WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure must wait too long for their loan modification applications to be reviewed by some of the nation's top mortgage servicers, a report said Wednesday. Such delays can plunge borrowers deeper in debt.

Fed keeps buying bonds at $85 billion monthly pace
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:08:45 -0400
By Alister Bull and Pedro da Costa WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Wednesday said it would keep buying $85 billion in bonds per month and gave no explicit indication that it was close to scaling back the program, despite intense market speculation it could soon start drawing it to a close. Describing the economy as expanding moderately, Fed officials cited further improvement in labor market conditions, and noted inflation had been running below the Fed's 2 percent long term goal. ...

Mueller urges caution on NSA program changes
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:08:59 -0400
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Robert Mueller on Wednesday urged Congress to move carefully before making any changes that might restrict the National Security Agency programs for mass collection of people's phone records and information from the Internet.

FBI hunt for ex-Teamster boss Hoffa's remains ends
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:07:36 -0400
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The excavation of a field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, the FBI announced Wednesday, adding another unsuccessful chapter to a nearly 40-year-old mystery.

Astros sign No. 1 overall pick RHP Mark Appel
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:05:29 -0400
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have signed right-handed pitcher Mark Appel of Stanford, the No. 1 overall draft pick in the draft earlier this month.

Fed says it will continue $85B in bond purchases
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:02:45 -0400
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve says it will maintain the pace of its program to keep long-term interest rates at record lows, but offered a slightly more optimistic outlook for the U.S. economy and job market.

Italy's first back minister receives death threats
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:02:44 -0400
ROME (AP) — Italy's first black Cabinet minister is facing Internet death threats before a visit to a region known for its anti-immigrant political base.

Fed foresees lower US unemployment rate
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:02:37 -0400
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve expects the U.S. unemployment rate to fall faster this year and next than it did in March.

Tropical depression heads toward Mexican coast
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:02:36 -0400
MIAMI (AP) — Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is getting better organized and is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall along Mexico's Gulf Coast.

FedEx 4Q profit drops as priority services lag
Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:01:51 -0400
DALLAS (AP) — FedEx Corp.'s fourth-quarter profit fell 45 percent as international customers traded down to less-expensive delivery options and the company spent heavily on restructuring.