Zale holiday sales metric up 2.3 pct, backs view

DALLAS (AP) — Zale Corp. said Thursday that a key sales measure rose 2.3 percent during the critical holiday shopping season, and the jewelry chain still expects to post a profit this year.Zale hasn’t posted an annual profit since 2008. Its fiscal year ends in July.Its revenue at stores open at least a year rose 2.3 percent during the holiday shopping season. November and December are important for...

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Wall Street climbs at open on China data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks advanced at the open on Thursday as stronger-than-expected exports in China, the world's second-biggest economy, raised hopes for a more robust recovery in the global economy this year. The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> gained 51.22 points, or 0.38 percent, to 13,441.73. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> climbed 8.01 points, or 0.55...

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NFL player Junior Seau had brain disease CTE

Junior Seau, one of the NFL's best and fiercest players for nearly two decades, had a degenerative brain disease when he committed suicide last May, the National Institutes of Health told The Associated Press on Thursday.Results of an NIH study of Seau's brain revealed abnormalities consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)."The brain was independently evaluated by multiple experts, in...

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Karzai's U.S. visit a time for tough talk

The last time Presidents Obama and Karzai met was in May in Kabul, when they signed a pact regarding U.S. troop withdrawal.STORY HIGHLIGHTSAfghan President Karzai meeting with President Obama in Washington this weekFelbab-Brown: Afghan politics are corrupt; army not ready for 2014 troop pulloutShe says Taliban, insurgents, splintered army, corrupt officials are all jockeying for powerU.S. needs to...

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“Lincoln” leads BAFTA film nominations with 10

LONDON (Reuters) – “Lincoln”, the story of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s battle to end slavery starring Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, won 10 BAFTA nominations on Wednesday, putting it ahead of the pack at Britain’s top film honors.The biopic was shortlisted in categories including best film, actor, supporting actor (Tommy Lee Jones) and supporting actress (Sally Field), but director Steven...

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Stock futures rise after Alcoa starts earnings season

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stock index futures rose modestly on Wednesday as Alcoa got the earnings season under way with better-than-expected revenue.Alcoa Inc also gave a positive outlook for 2013, but kept a cautious tone as worries lingered over a looming U.S. budget confrontation. Shares of Alcoa, the largest aluminum producer in the United States, rose 2.5 percent to $ 9.33 in premarket trade.Even...

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How to start a retirement fund in your 50s

Dear Dr. Don,What’s the best way to start a retirement fund in your 50s? I realize that it’s a late start, but my husband was laid off and just began working again in June. We do not have a lot of money for a retirement fund, and we don’t know where to begin. Should we invest in stocks, bonds or certificates of deposit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.– Denise DiligenceDear Denise,If...

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Wall Street edges up at open after Alcoa results

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks opened slightly higher on Wednesday after Alcoa got the earnings season under way with better-than-expected revenue and an encouraging outlook for the year. The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> gained 36.93 points, or 0.28 percent, to 13,365.78. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> rose 2.64 points, or 0.18 percent, to 1,459.79. The Nasdaq...

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Redskins' RG3 has surgery on torn knee ligament

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert Griffin III had surgery Wednesday morning to repair a torn ligament and to determine whether there was any other damage in his ailing right knee.A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that the procedure was expected to last about two hours. The person said orthopedist James Andrews planned to repair a torn lateral collateral ligament and examine the...

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Australian firefighters battle bush blazes, intense heat

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Federal government steps in with fuel, personnel to help NSW fire effortMore than 130 fires are burning across NSW during one of the hottest days on record 90% of the Australian state is under "severe" or higher fire warningsHigh temperatures and dry conditions have combined to create "dangerous day"Editor's note: Are you there? Send your stories, images to iReport(CNN) -- Soaring...

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