While China has become the world's second largest economy, doing business in China is now perceived to be more corrupt, according to Transparency International. China dropped five spots to 80th place out of 176 countries surveyed in the 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index.

MONEY-Fiscal-Cliff-Pay

The longer Congress waits to avoid the fiscal cliff, the more complicated it will be for businesses to figure out how much to pay workers early next year.

MONEY-State-Local-Tax-Deducations

Democrats are expected to fight hard to preserve the tax deduction for state and local taxes, despite its more than $80 billion cost to the federal budget, during the fiscal cliff negotiations. A look at the states that benefit most from the deduction makes it clear why.

MONEY-Rolls-Royce-Corruption-Probe

Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce may face prosecution over allegations of corruption in China, Indonesia and other international markets.

MONEY-Gay-Money

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are better at managing their money than the average American, new research shows.

MONEY-Starbucks-UK-Taxes

Coffee retailer Starbucks says it will pay additional taxes in the UK in response to public pressure there to collect more taxes from multinational companies.

MONEY-Unemployment-Benefits

First-time claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, after spiking three weeks earlier due to Superstorm Sandy.

MONEY-ECB-Rates

The European Central Bank slashed its growth and inflation forecasts for 2013, raising the prospect of a further easing in monetary policy next year, after it kept interest rates on hold Thursday.

U.S.A.

Florida-Zimmerman-NBC-Lawsuit

George Zimmerman, charged in the shooting death of a 17-year-old Florida boy, sued NBC Universal on Thursday for using "the oldest form of yellow journalism" by editing an audio tape of his 911 call to make him sound racist, the lawsuit said.

Florida-Python-Hunt

In another effort to control the spread of Burmese pythons through the Everglades, Florida will offer a $1,500 prize for whoever bags the most snakes in January's "Python Challenge."

TRAVEL-New-York-JFK-Screener-Arrested

A veteran airport screener at New York's JFK Airport has been charged with grand larceny after he allegedly stole two iPads that were planted in a checked bag as part of a police sting.

California-Harpys-Gang

The description of a Los Angeles street gang seems right out of Hollywood: In the square mile between the University of Southern California and an edge of downtown where an NFL stadium is being planned, a group of thugs called Harpys or Harpys-Dead End gang runs extortion rackets, "taxes" businesses, robs students and threatens to kill snitches, federal prosecutors allege.

US-Navy-Espionage-Charges