Online banking start-up company Simple offers free checking accounts and digital tools to people frustrated with typical banks; promises to not charge any fees for its services, but getting customers to trust a start-up like Simple with their money may prove difficult. Read more..

By JENNA WORTHAM - The New York Times

Alcoa reported fourth-quarter earnings of $242 million and forecast increased demand in 2013. Its results were seen as an indicator of overall economic health. Read more..

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - The New York Times

Edward S Lampert is to become chief executive of Sears; Lampert is struggling retailer's majority owner and chairman, and is optimistic about its future, even if shareholders and analysts are skeptical. Read more..

By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD - The New York Times

The skill required to execute the attacks convinced American officials that Iran was behind them, likely in retaliation for economic sanctions and online attacks by the United States. Read more..

By NICOLE PERLROTH and QUENTIN HARDY - The New York Times

Fred L Turner, innovative chief executive of McDonald's, dies at age 80. Read more..

By KATIE THOMAS - The New York Times

The Times's Quentin Hardy discusses a recent computer hacking attack, which American officials have linked to Iran, that targeted banks in the United States. Read more..

Ben Werschkul, Channon Hodge, Channon Hodge, Channon Hodge, Pedro Rafael Rosado, Axel Gerdau and Krishnan Vasudevan - The New York Times

TimesCast Media+Tech: Trend spotting at the Consumer Electronics Show. | David Pogue reviews calendar apps. | Marlon Wayans, the actor and screenwriter, returns to spoofing horror films. Read more..

Fritzie Andrade, Zena Barakat, Krishnan Vasudevan, Pedro Rafael Rosado, David Pogue and Kriston Lewis - The New York Times

Sales of the company’s biotech corn seeds in Latin America and South America propelled profits. Read more..

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - The New York Times

The jobless rate in the 17-nation bloc rose to 11.8 percent in November, a month in which German exports, imports and industrial orders all declined. Read more..

By MELISSA EDDY and DAVID JOLLY - International Herald Tribune

Supreme Court justices from across ideological spectrum seem to reject arguments by government that discount statutes of limitations on certain kinds of civil lawsuits, specifically those cases involving fraud. Read more..

By ADAM LIPTAK - The New York Times