Disney employees now allowed to grow beards

Mickey Mouse can finally grow that goatee he's always wanted. Until now, Disney parks and resort employees had been prohibited from growing beards and goatees. Starting Friday they may do so, so long as they're a quarter-inch or shorter.

Beat stress for less

This year the end of the holidays probably didn't bring the usual stress relief; there are still worries about unemployment, a flailing housing market, and a volatile stock market, all of which may be taking a toll on your health.

New York sues banks over foreclosures

The New York attorney general sued some of the nation's biggest banks on Friday, accusing them of unlawful and deceptive practices for relying on a private electronic registry that tracks mortgages.

Micron CEO Steve Appleton dies in plane crash

Micron CEO and chairman Steve Appleton died Friday morning in a small-plane crash in Boise.

Big drop in unemployment rate for blacks

The unemployment rate for blacks fell more than 2 percentage points last month to its lowest level since March 2009.

Place your bets on Facebook's IPO -- literally

Facebook has finally filed for an IPO, but it likely won't start trading for months. For those who can't wait to gamble on the stock market, bookies are accepting bets.

Kiss QE3 hopes goodbye. And good riddance!

The strong January jobs report may finally put a nail in the QE3 coffin.

Stealth jobs boom: 6 months, 2 million jobs

Companies are saying the job market is getting better. Workers are saying it's already kicked into high gear.

Auto stocks gain on jobs report. GM up 7%

Shares of General Motors and Ford surged on Friday following strong data on the U.S. job market.

Facebook IPO shrinks private trading market

Facebook has played a big role in the private trading markets that allow eligible investors the chance to snap up shares of hot Internet companies years before they go public.

Jobs: Obama not out of the woods yet

The January jobs report contains a slew of numbers that are likely to put a twinkle in the eye of Obama campaign staffers.

Dow at 4-year high, Nasdaq hits 11-year high

U.S. stocks rallied Friday, as investors cheered a much stronger-than-expected jobs report.

January jobs report: Hiring ramps up, unemployment falls

American employers substantially stepped up their hiring in January, bringing the unemployment rate down for the fifth month in a row.

Stocks: Investors cheer jobs report

Investors are gearing up for a rally following a much stronger than expected report on January job growth.

Small firms want more from Obama's U.S. manufacturing plan

A new Obama administration push to strengthen U.S. manufacturing has the support of smaller firms, but it might not be enough to stir many into action.

Nevada's triple economic whammy

The Great Recession has dealt Nevada a losing hand.

Home repairs: Which jobs come first?

Lean times call for budgetary triage. But while you should clearly opt for orthodontics before Disneyland, the choice is tougher when it comes to home maintenance.

Finally, a foreclosure settlement (Maybe)

States have until late Monday to agree to the latest draft deal aimed at relieving homeowners struggling with mortgages bigger than their home's value.

States seek currencies made of silver and gold

A growing number of states are seeking shiny new currencies made of silver and gold.

U.S. charges oldest Swiss bank in tax fraud case

The Justice Department charged Switzerland's oldest bank Thursday with helping American taxpayers hide more than $1.2 billion from the Internal Revenue Service. The case marks the first time an overseas bank has been charged in the U.S. for aiding tax evasion.

The Surface Of Mars Is Too Dry For Life

A new study confirms that Mars is an arid place that's far too dry for life to exist on the surface.

Over 6,300 People Have Applied To Be Astronauts

NASA has a daunting task ahead of itself as it works to winno

Cartier Is Looking For Women Entrepreneurs In Search Of Funding

Aspire to be Christy Walton, Cher Wang, Sheryl Sandberg or Margie Yang? Even if your current goals are more modest than to manage thousands of people or make the Forbes Billionaires List, you can apply for business funding through the Cartier Women's Initiative Award. The award is an entrepreneurship competition for women-led, for-profit businesses. Click ...

Video: Marotta on Money

explains that the purpose of Marotta On Money is a weekly financial column and daily financial blog about the comprehensive wealth management small changes that have a large effect over time. Subscribe to receive more Marotta more often.

Smartphone Shipments Top PCs For The First Time Ever

2011 marked the beginning of a major shift toward mobile computing. Smartphone shipments topped PCs for the first time ever last year, by 73 million units, according to figures??published by research firm Canalys on Friday. Last year a total of 487.7 million smartphones were shipped. Only 414.6 million PCs, which include tablet PCs, shipped. That?s ...

Find Your Sweet Spot-and Stay There

A young woman I know is a star. In her early thirties, she had an M.B.A. and was already running a small division of a successful fashion company. She had that rare combination of design sense and business savvy that makes a virtuoso fashion executive. The owner of her company noticed. And when the company?s ...

Star Wars Samurai Art

If Star Wars had been set in feudal Japan, this is what a Storm Trooper would look like: That?s from digital artist Clinton Felker. See more amazing images at BuzzFeed. Now I kind of wish they?d extend the Star Wars universe into a more Far Eastern setting? See also: Star Wars Isn?t a Religion It?s ...

A Bar Called Murphs - New Jersey Politics - Understated Income - Shocking Combination

There are some cases I just cannot resist.??ANTHONY MURPHY, INC. t/a MURPHS LIQUOR & BAR and PETER MURPHY, Individually, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. DIRECTOR, NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF TAXATION, Defendant-Respondent is one of them. Murphs Liquor & Bar in Totowa strikes me as the type of??place I spent too much time in??while young.?? Undoubtedly it is the ...

Note to Newt: Many Food Stamp Families are Working

Newt Gingrich has accused President Obama of being a ?food stamp president.? Yesterday he broadened the attack to include Mitt Romney, after the ex-governor said that he would fix the safety net if people were falling through the cracks. (Ironically, Romney?s actual campaign proposals would shred the safety net.) About Obama, Gingrich??said, ?He will always ...

Hack Attack Nation

Entrust's Tim Moses, director of Advance Security at Entrust, is not very reassuring on the subject: "Nearly everyone will be hacked eventually. The measure of a company is how they respond." Great.

Hyundai MPG Claim Dropped From Super Bowl Ad

Last minute edits are prevalent in the advertising business - here's one important tidbit that was reportedly cut (as of Friday night) from one of Hyundai's ads running during Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast.

Have Patience With Valve: The Next 'Half-Life' Will Be Amazing

Valve?s Half-Life 2 is one of the most enduring, beloved shooters of all time. So where?s Half-Life 3? My first real PC gaming crush was on Half-Life 2, still one of the best, smartest, and most engaging first-person-shooters ever made . The graphics, dialogue, voice-acting, and game mechanics are all flawless. The two episodic follow-ups ...

Did Piracy Kill Exclusive PC Games?

According to??Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Lead Designer, Ian Frazier, the real culprit behind the demise of the exclusive PC title is piracy. Others have speculated that the modern consoles, with their high-definition graphics and uniform hardware specs have been the main driver behind the decline of PC gaming. Frazier disagrees. ?A game this big is ...

I'm Okay with Mitt Romney's Income and Estate Tax Planning

Americans are allowed to pay the lowest tax they are legally obligated to pay. Taxpayers who pay more do so usually because they are unaware of rules or planning opportunities applicable to them or fail to implement planning. It is the job of the President and Congress to enact legislation delineating the public's tax obligations, ...

During Super Bowl, Indianapolis Arts Scene Gets Ready For Its Close-Up

The Turf Art Pavilion showcases large-scale works by 20 local artists just steps away from the big game.

Share of Up Rounds is Back to Normal

When well-performing venture capital-backed start-ups raise an additional round of capital, the valuation of the business is usually higher than it was at the previous fund raising round.?? The portion of VC-financed start-ups that experiences "up rounds" ? as new fund raising at a higher valuation is called -??is an indication of how well venture ...

Car of the Week: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250

Editor's note: I'm kicking off a new feature on my Forbes blog. I test drive a new car on most weeks of the year. Here's the lowdown on what's in my driveway. The Car: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Where I drove it: City. First Impressions: A sleeper. At first glance it's a modest sedan that looks ...

Empowering Consumers: A Fantastic Voyage To Unseen Information

Stefani Bardin is an artist whose latest project is an important contribution to the cause of helping people make more informed???and therefore healthier and more pleasurable???food choices, a cause that simultaneously creates opportunities for sustainable food businesses nimble enough to serve the needs of increasingly empowered consumers. I saw her latest video, the one posted ...

Bills Led By Animal Welfare Group Best Friends And Miami Marlins' Mark Buehrle Give Dogs A Chance In Florida And Ohio

It?s been a good week for dogs.??In Florida, lawmakers recently unanimously decided, in two committee votes, to remove the state's breed discriminatory law from its books. If that bill continues through the legislative process and passes, the practice of canine profiling, where dogs for years have been singled out for their looks and not their ...

Stolen 1965 Shelby GT Found 25 Years Later

What once was lost has now been found.

US ‘disgusted’ with Syria peace plan veto

Negotiations in New York end in rancour after Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning the violence in Syria

Romney wins Nevada caucuses

Mitt Romney swept to a convincing win in the Nevada caucuses, maintaining his momentum as frontrunner in the race for the Republican nomination and leaving Newt Gingrich in a tussle with Ron Paul for second place

Tens of thousands protest against Putin

Protests sparked by fraud in December’s elections have turned against the Russian president’s regime

Berlusconi adjusts to life out of limelight

Rancour when talking about past – particularly his treatment by the media and ‘leftwing’ magistrates – suggests ex-PM will not stay quiet

Pakistan seeks a place at Qatar Taliban talks

Taliban representatives in Pakistan allowed to travel to Qatar

US jobs boost lifts global sentiment

The US created far jobs than expected in January and the unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 per cent, delivering a jolt of good news for the global economy

Greece’s leaders oppose new austerity measures

The European Commission, ECB and IMF want more cuts in government jobs and reductions in Greek salaries before agreeing the new rescue

Israel debate on Iran strike gains urgency

Israeli officials fear that Tehran’s nuclear programme is fast becoming immune to military attack, despite the effectiveness of US and EU sanctions on Iran

Death toll rises to 12 in Egypt clashes

Violence resumes for a third day between authorities and protestors near the interior ministry in Cairo and in front of police headquarters in Suez

Fear grips Venezuela after kidnapping

An ambassador’s ‘express kidnapping’ underlines broader concerns about growing crime as rates continue to soar before October’s presidential election

Greek PM in crucial bailout talks

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos will meet party leaders in his coalition to discuss a proposed 130bn euros EU rescue plan.

Obama urges 'keep recovery going'

Barack Obama challenges Congress to keep the recovery going as new data shows unemployment down to its lowest rate in three years.

US job numbers show strong growth

The US economy created 243,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%, official figures show.

New Virgin staff pay for checks

Virgin Atlantic is forcing successful job applicants to pay for their own criminal record checks, Radio 4's Money Box reveals.

Europe hit by Russia gas shortage

Freezing weather sweeping across Europe is causing a shortage of vital Russian gas supplies to several countries, officials say.

Hungarian airline Malev collapses

Hungarian airline Malev ceases trading after 66 years after being ordered by the EU to repay state aid it has received.

Apple overturns Motorola's ban

Apple is granted a suspension of a sales ban imposed on some of its iPads and iPhones in Germany.

Oil spurs Canadian PM China visit

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit China next week to discuss the future of Canada's oil products.

Eurozone service sector growing

The eurozone's service sector grows for the first time in four months, although Spain and Italy continue to struggle.

Motorola makes Apple pull devices

Motorola forces some 3G iPhones and iPads to be pulled from Apple's German online store after enforcing a patent injunction.

Panasonic predicts a record loss

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic forecasts a record net annual loss of $10bn for the year to March.

Megaupload bail appeal rejected

Kim Dotcom's bail appeal is rejected by a New Zealand Court, as US campaigners hint at legal action to prevent files being deleted.

Service sector sees strong growth

The UK's service sector grew at its fastest rate since March 2011 in January, according to a closely watched survey.

Uganda signs oil production deal

Oil production is set to start in Uganda after a deal is signed between the government and London-based Tullow oil, which also draws in Chinese and French firms.

Interest rate 'collusion' probe

Swiss authorities investigate 12 US, European and Japanese banks over claims they have been fixing their interbank lending rates.

BT cuts costs to increase profits

Telecoms group BT reports a sharp rise in profits, thanks largely to a jump in the number of broadband users.

Cold front ad for Mini backfires

An advertising agency for BMW pays to name Europe's cold weather "Cooper" in Germany, after the firm's Mini Cooper car, but the stunt backfires.

China box office tipped to surge

China's box office takings surged 29% to $2.1bn in 2011 and are forecast to rise by around 20% this year, new figures show.

Japan carmakers see US sales jump

Japanese carmakers report a jump in their US sales in January boosted by new models and the restoration of supply chains.

American Airlines cuts 13,000 jobs

The loss-making parent company of American Airlines says it will shed 13,000 jobs - around 15% of its workforce.

US home prices continue to drop

Single-family home prices in the US dropped by 0.7% in November, amid weaker consumer confidence.

Hutchison to buy Orange Austria

Hong Kong's Hutchison 3G agrees to buy Orange Austria in a bid to expand it presence and boost market share in the country.

AstraZeneca announces job losses

Drugs firm AstraZeneca announces a further 7,300 job cuts over the next two years as part of a new restructuring programme.

Debt crisis hits Deutsche profits

Deutsche Bank reports a sharp fall in profits as the eurozone debt crisis takes its toll on the company's investment banking division.

IMF warns of Iran oil shock risk

The International Monetary Fund warns of a possible 20-30% spike in oil prices if Iranian exports are disrupted.

South Sudan in oil pipeline deal

South Sudan agrees a deal with Kenya to build an pipeline to Lamu, potentially reducing its dependence on its northern neighbour Sudan to export its oil.

EU approves Iran oil imports ban

EU foreign ministers formally agree to an oil embargo against Iran, as Western powers reinforce their naval presence in the region.

China miner gets gold price boost

Chinese mining group Zijin says it expects a 20% jump in profits for 2011 boosted by higher gold prices during the year.

Air India asked to pay fuel bill

Air India assures it will pay its dues for jet fuel to three state-owned oil firms by Friday after its fuel supplies are cut.

Sony reports further heavy losses

Japanese electronics giant Sony reports another quarterly loss after sales were hit by lower production following the floods in Thailand.

England players go unsold at IPL

Seven England players and Ireland batsman Kevin O'Brien fail to attract bids at the Indian Premier League auction.

Score draw in TV football case

The Premier League and the importers of foreign satellite TV decoder boxes and cards are both claiming victory after their latest court battle

Olympics 'boosting' Scots tourism

Tourist bookings for visits to Scotland around the time of the London Olympics are rising, it is claimed.

India's richest shrine goes green

India’s Tirupati Temple has adopted a range of green technologies - and the shrine is now trading carbon credits.

Threat landscape is 'constantly evolving'

Threat landscape is constantly evolving, says McAfee chief technology office.

Can shipping go green?

The world’s first hybrid-powered ferry fleet in Hong Kong is a proving ground for technology that could transform the future of marine travel

What drives US entrepreneurship?

What is the secret behind the high number of successful business start-ups in the US? We talk to three American business people.

Financial risks: Danger or opportunity?

During a financial crisis the instinctive reaction is to take cover but, according to some people, that is the perfect time to take risks.

How to build an empire out of a bikini

Jacqueline De Biase, 49, describes how an idea to start making her own bikinis at home 30 years ago blossomed into one of Brazil's leading bikini brands.

Annuity sales 'unfair and opaque'

The way annuities are sold is costing half a million retirees each year as much as £1bn in future pension income, the National Association of Pension Funds says.

1.1 million face £100 tax fines

Just over one million taxpayers face a penalty of £100 for failing to submit their self-assessment tax returns on time, HM Revenue and Customs says.

Personal insolvencies 'down 11%'

Fewer people were declared insolvent in 2011 in England and Wales than in 2010, but the number of companies going bust increased.

VIDEO: Tourists staying away from Egypt

Twelve months on from the revolution in Egypt, the country's tourism industry is continuing to struggle.

VIDEO: Hormuz closure threat to shipping

The Middle East's experts on maritime security are meeting in Abu Dhabi this week and talk of Iran's threats of closing the Strait of Hormuz will feature prominently.

VIDEO: Manufacturing jobs aid US economy

The manufacturing sector in United States has been contributing to the improving labour market in the world's largest economy.

VIDEO: Will cricket make money in UAE?

Tope level international cricket is being played in the UAE - but will it make money?

VIDEO: Small eurozone service sector growth

The BBC's Jamie Robertson on growth in the eurozone - and Spanish plans to raise more capital.

AUDIO: UK share of exports to India 'below Italy'

Just how good is the state of UK-India trade?

VIDEO: Euro for Poland 'once it is safe'

Poland's Finance Minister, Jacek Rostowski, tells Stephen Sackur why his country has yet to join the Eurozone.

VIDEO: Rolls-Royce to open Singapore plant

Rolls-Royce will open a new half a billion dollar plant in Singapore later this month.

Mortgage Tornado Warning, Unheeded

Greek Talks at a Delicate Point, Official Says

Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, Staying on Message

Slipstream: Employers and Brands Use Gaming to Gauge Engagement

Strategies: I.P.O. Euphoria, Without Much Memory ? Strategies

Digital Domain: On HealthTap, Advice for You and Points for Doctors

Off the Shelf: ?Strings Attached? Looks at Incentives and Ethics ? Review

Preoccupations: Disabilities Can Be Workplace Assets

The Boss: Berner International?s Chief Found Consolation Via Work

Letters: Letters: The Bookstore?s Place in an Electronic Future

Letters: Letters: Something Lost, and Gained

Fair Game: An Investment Wipeout That Didn?t Have to Happen

Corner Office | Amy Astley: Amy Astley of Teen Vogue, on Valuing a Work Ethic

Economic View: Do Manufacturers Need Special Treatment? - Economic View

The Week?s Business News in Pictures

Editorial: An Easier Path to Refinancing

Editorial | State of Play: Perpetual War: Digital Pirates and Creators

It?s the Economy: It Is Safe to Resume Ignoring the Prophets of Doom ... Right?

Articles in this series are examining challenges posed by increasingly globalized high-tech industries.

BUSINESS: House Advantage: The Sure Thing

Syria resolution: The diplomatic train-wreck - BBC News

Militants claim attack on Nigeria Eni oil pipeline - Chicago Tribune

Egypt clashes rage into fourth day - AFP

Diamond Jubilee: Queen marks eve of accession to throne - BBC News

17, 000 sign up to Times 'safe cycling' campaign - Times Online

Deadline day for Greek debt deal - AFP

Greece on "knife edge" in last hours to agree bailout (Reuters)

Greece on "knife edge" in last hours to agree bailout (Reuters)

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas believes fascination with social stories is ... - Goal.com

Most Germans want Greece to quit euro: poll (Reuters)

Falkland manoeuvres are 'entirely routine', says William Hague - Telegraph.co.uk

Nigeria oil line on fire; militants claim attack (AP)

Will Lincoln Dealers Buy Into Ford's Renovation Plans? - Wall Street Journal (blog)

Snow Disruption: Road, Rail And Air Latest - Sky News

Heavy snow disrupts travel across much of Britain - BBC News

Iran raid likely to drag in U.S. and hurt global economy (Reuters)

Wen says China has stake in helping Europe (Reuters)

Wen says China has stake in helping Europe (Reuters)

U.S. adds 243000 jobs in January - Philadelphia Inquirer

Central bank liquidity tap to stay open (Reuters)

Olympus to hold shareholder meeting on April 20 (Reuters)

Boeing checks 787s for carbon fiber delamination

Horton Expects American to Exit Ch. 11 Without Merger - Bloomberg

Euro zone loses patience with Greece (Reuters)

GM says most of its US dealers agree to upgrades (AP)

Nevada's triple economic whammy - CNN

The Dow Should Never Have Booted These Stocks - DailyFinance

A Mortgage Tornado Warning, Unheeded - New York Times

Companies with biggest bets on the Super Bowl

Clinton: US, Europe must do more against tyrants (AP)

Clinton: US, Europe must do more against tyrants (AP)

(AP)

Palestinians call for PM's fall over taxes (AP)

Foreclosure Settlement Will Settle Nothing - TheStreet.com

Report: Monti says Italy a "safe place" (AP)

Clinton: US, Europe must work to defeat tyrants (AP)

Man kills himself at hairdresser's - Belfast Telegraph

Greek debt talks to stretch into weekend (AP)

Romney focuses on Obama, Gingrich on Romney in NV (AP)

N.Y. foreclosure lawsuit could slow home seizures

New York sues banks over electronic mortgage system (Reuters)

Oil risks fuelling flames of Sudan conflict - Reuters

Nasdaq hits 11-year high as stocks jump

Oil prices rise after drop in US hiring expands (AP)

Hackers attack Greek Justice Ministry website (AP)

Micron CEO Appleton dies in plane crash

Recovery is gathering speed, jobs data show

Slideshow: What you can get for ... $400,000

Aon Q4 profit rises, but margin pressures persist (Reuters)

Facebook pics lead to worker's comp denial