NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Happy New Year! The American economy kicked off 2013 with a small rise in new claims for unemployment benefits -- a closely-watched indicator of the health of the job market.

Gun advocate and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones tells Piers Morgan, "1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms."

The Federal Communications Commission found that the cost of phone calls from incarcerated friends and family members is at an all-time high and companies charge up to 15 times ordinary rates

A resolution passed in Burlington, Vermont's biggest city,  could lead to a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.

Lead detective testifies in Colorado movie shooting rampage

(CNN) -- He forged his views of war and the military as a young man in mine-plagued fields of Vietnam. Now Chuck Hagel may become the first Vietnam veteran and first enlisted soldier to serve as U.S. defense secretary.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- John Brennan joined the CIA as a young man after responding to a newspaper want ad. Now, at 57, he could become its next director.

(CNN) -- The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a long-standing appeal from scientists who tried to block funding of stem cell research on human embryos.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama signed into law Sunday a $9.7 billion Superstorm Sandy aid package following delays over fiscal cliff bickering, warnings of dwindling federal funds and swirling controversy over millions of dollars for unrelated projects.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left home to return to work Monday morning for the first time since she was sidelined by illness, a concussion and a blood clot, according to a schedule released by the State Department.