Stock futures are extending their early gains Thursday after a better-than-expected report on weekly jobless claims. The Labor Department said new claims for unemployment benefits fell to a seasonally adjusted 550,000 last week.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va.—-During the second quarter of 2009, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority provided services and resources to 34 businesses that will create 788 jobs in Fairfax County.

The Bank of England took a far bigger step than expected to boost Britain’s recession-hit economy on Thursday, stunning markets by expanding its quantitative easing plan to 175 billion pounds from 125 billion.

The Bank of England surprised markets Thursday by significantly expanding its program of buying financial assets to boost the money supply, a growth-boosting step that indicates the British central bank remains cautious about recent signs of economic recovery.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits fell sharply last week, a government report showed on Thursday, boosting views that the labor market and the economy were stabilizing.

The number of Americans filing first time claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, while the number of people requesting ongoing benefits continues to rise, the government said Thursday.

The number of newly-laid off workers seeking unemployment insurance fell last week, the government said Thursday, fresh evidence that layoffs are easing.

RESTON, Va.—-Parabon® NanoLabs, a leading designer and manufacturer of breakthrough products at the nanoscale, announced today that Dr. Christopher Dwyer, its Co-Founder and Senior Research Scientist, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers .

U.S. stock futures are edging higher Thursday, supported by gains in overseas markets and an encouraging outlook from Cisco Systems Inc.

The European Central Bank and Bank of England left interest rates unchanged Thursday at record lows amid early signs of economic recovery. The British bank said it would expand its efforts to increase the money supply and boost growth.