As the U.S. economy continued its steep fall into a deeper recession, many major oil companies – in particular Exxon Mobil – enjoyed a steep ascent into record-setting profits.
The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), which measures economic activity, fell at a yearly rate of 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008 (adjusted for inflation).
That’s the [...]

Complete list of 81st annual Academy Award nominations announced Thursday:
1. Best Picture: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Frost/Nixon,” “Milk,” “The Reader,” “Slumdog Millionaire.”
2. Actor: Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”; Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”; Sean Penn, “Milk”; Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”; Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler.”
3. Actress: Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”; Angelina Jolie, [...]