Growth in Japan's overseas investments is offsetting a narrowing trade gap, official figures show.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs sells on a 12.4% stake in Mitsubishi Motors, just three days after buying it.

Sony is to stop making music CDs with anti-piracy software which can leave computers vulnerable to viruses.

Norway says it might close down publicly listed companies which fail to meet proposed boardroom quotas for women.

Georgia-Pacific, the paper giant that makes Dixie cups and Brawny paper towels, agreed to be sold for $13.2 billion to Koch Industries.

EBay is expected to announce Monday that it is ending the fees it charges software developers who build Web sites and software programs that channel buyers and sellers its way.

Sun Microsystems is set to announce the first of a new generation of processors for computer servers.

The Blue Gene/L computer has doubled its performance to 280.6 trillion calculations a second (teraflops).

The B-to-B company Ariba said it would announce a strategy this week to sell its software and services to smaller companies.

Google plans to introduce free analytical tools for online publishers and marketers, a move that would help the company's clients get a better sense of Web site traffic patterns and advertising campaigns.

Writers and actors say they want to tell stories, not sell goods.

There's a belief in publishing circles that if Oprah Winfrey selected a lawn-mower manual for her book club, she could sell a million copies.

The user-written online encyclopedia Wikipedia has exploded in popularity over the last year

The great thing about the Web is that people can say almost anything they please. But it will only mature as a medium if people see that as less of a license than as a burden.

Many publishers are seeing sales of their New Orleans travel guides plummet and when tourism and convention business returns to the city, the guidebooks are likely to be inaccurate.

Esquire magazine is trying to brand real estate.

Review Under Way.

Sugartown Creative in New York is working with Trudie Styler and Sting to introduce a line of premium-priced organic food items.

For the foreseeable future, Bob Schieffer will continue to play two prominent roles for the network.

Daniel McNamara Gribbon was the former managing partner of the prominent Washington law firm Covington & Burling.

Michael Mendelson was former president of the investment firm Oppenheimer & Company.

American Online (AOL) announces plans to launch a free internet television service next year.

Mobile phone group O2 unveils a rise in earnings for the first half of the financial year, buoyed by rising customer numbers.

Reuters - Lockheed Martin Corp. will try to keep an $8 billion U.S. Army spy-plane contract by proposing to substitute a plane made by Bombardier Inc. (BBDsvb.TO) for one made by Embraer SA (EMBR4.SA), the Wall Street Journal reported.

Reuters - British drinks can maker Rexam said on Monday it had agreed to buy U.S.-based packaging group Precise Technology for $257.5 million.

Mobile phone group O2 unveils a rise half-year profits, helped by increasing customer numbers.

Telkom, Africa's largest phone firm, sees its profits rise 50%, helped by the success of joint-owned subsidiary Vodacom.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will focus on tackling music and film piracy during a trade trip to China.

Lawyers are to mount a bid to win compensation for workers suffering from an asbestos-related health condition.

Germany's incoming Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for sacrifices as she unveils details of her coalition's plans.

French company Saint-Gobain extends its £3.6bn offer for UK plasterboard-maker BPB until early December.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is optimistic a new TV deal can match the £1bn level of an earlier agreement.

Poverty remains high in rural China and the government must make farming more efficient, a new report urges.

Vodafone joins forces with record company Universal to allow users to download music videos to their phones.

Old Mutual extends the deadline for shareholders of rival Skandia to decide on its hostile takeover bid.

The price of goods leaving UK factory gates fell in October, fuelling hopes that the Bank of England could cut rates.

Microsoft has branded Sony's controversial CD copy protection system as spyware.

Airport operator BAA is to table an offer for Hungary's Budapest Airport before the bidding process closes on Monday.

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the world's biggest retailer, on Monday posted higher quarterly profit on strong back-to-school sales.

Reuters - Talks on the possible sale of Computer Sciences Corp. have stalled over problems with how to structure a deal with Lockheed Martin Corp. and three private equity firms, the Wall Street Journal said on Monday.

Reuters - U.S. stock futures pointed to a nearly flat market opening on Monday but could receive a lift as news of paper producer Georgia-Pacific Corp.'s agreement over the weekend to be bought by conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc. spurred talk of other acquisitions.

USATODAY.com - This story about Joe Mansueto is not going to start with the tale of how he founded mutual fund research company Morningstar, now with nearly $200 million in annual revenue, in a one-bedroom apartment here 21 years ago with $80,000. (Although he did.)

Retail giant Wal-Mart sees a 4.3% rise in profit thanks to strong back-to-school sales, which offset hurricane effects.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will focus on tackling music and film piracy during a trade trip to China.

Reuters - Host Marriott Corp. said on Monday it had agreed to pay about $4.04 billion to acquire a portfolio of 38 luxury and upscale hotels from Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Monday posted its smallest quarterly profit gain since the 2001 U.S. recession, but said holiday prospects looked good despite steep energy prices that have hit consumer spending.

Reuters - U.S. retail sales climbed in October from September on gains in clothing, household accessories and furniture, according to a report released on Monday.

Reuters - Sara Lee Corp. on Monday said it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its European branded apparel business, including Playtex and Wonderbra, to an affiliate of private investment firm Sun Capital Partners Inc. as it aims to focus on its food, beverage, household and body care businesses.

Reuters - U.S. stocks opened little changed on Monday, as merger news, including this weekend's sale of Georgia-Pacific Corp. , spurred talk of possible future acquisitions, while caution before inflation data this week kept investors' enthusiasm in check.

AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, said Monday its earnings rose 3.8 percent in the third quarter as sales grew 10 percent.

Under pressure from its largest shareholder, Knight Ridder, the publisher of 32 newspapers, said it was considering 'strategic alternatives.'

Violent protests take place in Bangkok against the proposed $855m sale of shares in Thailand's state electricity firm.

Reuters - The recent dollar rise is a sign the U.S. economy is facing few problems funding its big current account gap, but the shortfall cannot expand forever, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Monday.

Reuters - Tyson Foods Inc. on Monday warned that 2006 profit would fall below analysts' estimates and reported a lower-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings as its beef export business slowly recovered from the 2003 mad cow scare.

AP - The European Commission said Monday the EU economy will see a 'sound recovery' in 2006, piggybacking on robust growth in the global economy.

Reuters - U.S. stocks were nearly unchanged on Monday, but shares of retailers gained after earnings reports from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and others showed signs of strong consumer spending.

AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, said Monday its earnings rose 3.8 percent in the third quarter as sales grew 10 percent.

The company's smallest quarterly gain in more than four years was in line with Wall Street's forecasts.

The average salaries of skilled employees in China is far higher than in India, a new survey reveals.

Vodafone joins forces with record company Universal to allow users to download music videos to their phones.

Telkom, Africa's largest phone firm, sees its profits rise 50%, helped by the success of joint-owned subsidiary Vodacom.

Reuters - Newspaper publisher Knight Ridder Inc. said on Monday that it would explore a possible sale of the company, bowing to demands from two large investors unhappy with its depressed stock price.

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Monday posted its smallest quarterly profit gain since the 2001 U.S. recession, but said holiday prospects looked good despite steep energy prices that have hit consumer spending.

Reuters - Spectrum Brands Inc. said on Monday that federal prosecutors are investigating recent disclosures by the consumer products company regarding earnings and financial forecasts, sending Spectrum's shares to their lowest level in two years.

Reuters - The United States is having little trouble funding its big current account gap, but foreign investors will eventually "balk" at lending the money to cover it, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Monday.

Reuters - U.S. stocks barely budged on Monday as this weekend's sale of Georgia-Pacific Corp. and other merger news helped sentiment on hopes of possible future acquisitions while inflation data expected later in the week kept investors cautious.

AP - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan cautioned Monday that foreign investors may sour on bankrolling America's mammoth trade deficits, but he expressed confidence that the economy's flexibility would cushion any fallout.

Reuters - U.S. stocks hardly moved amid light volume on Monday after a drug development setback for Abbott Laboratories Inc. offset gains from several acquisitions, including the sale of Georgia-Pacific Corp. .

Reuters - Mutual fund investors could be in for a nasty surprise come tax time.

AP - Lowe's Cos. shares climbed nearly 5 percent Monday after the nation's second largest home improvement retailer said its earnings rose nearly 26 percent in the third quarter, surpassing Wall Street's forecast, as residents of the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast and others fixed up their houses.

Tony Blair has urged the US and the EU to take steps to 'break the logjam' on world trade.

The average salaries of skilled employees in China is far higher than in India, a new survey reveals.

Reuters - American International Group on Monday said third quarter earnings fell from a year earlier because of $1.57 billion in losses from hurricanes and other catastrophes.

Reuters - U.S. stock indexes ended little changed on Monday after a drug trial setback for Abbott Laboratories Inc. offset gains from several acquisitions, including the sale of Georgia-Pacific Corp. , and robust earnings in the retail sector.

AP - Two more retail groups announced Monday that they have filed class action suits against Visa USA, MasterCard Inc. and a number of major banks over the fees they charge for processing credit card transactions.

Reuters - U.S. stock indexes ended little changed on Monday after a drug trial setback for Abbott Laboratories Inc. offset gains from several acquisitions, including the sale of Georgia-Pacific Corp. , and robust earnings in the retail sector.

Reuters - Discount retailer Target Corp. said on Monday its November sales at stores open at least one year would be below its forecast of a 4 percent to 6 percent increase.

Tony Blair urges the US and the EU to help poor countries by dismantling trade barriers and increasing trade aid.

Reuters - Private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners on Monday said it is suing three former Refco Inc. executives to recover at least $245 million that the firm lost when Refco collapsed amid a financial scandal.

Wal-Mart Stores sent an early Christmas card to Wall Street on Monday. The message was to stop worrying about the holidays.

Ben S. Bernanke, President Bush's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, will have to fend off concerns about his beliefs on inflation.

Russia is taking in $500 million a day from crude oil exports, but the cash is gushing faster than the nation can absorb it without causing inflation.

Knight Ridder, which is contending with falling circulation and tepid revenue growth, hired Goldman Sachs to help it evaluate 'strategic alternatives.'

Senior U.S. officials displayed a combination of demands and pleas that increasingly characterizes the relationship between the countries.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 14 (AP) - The Lowe's Companies, the home-improvement retailer, said Monday that earnings rose nearly 26 percent in its third fiscal quarter, surpassing Wall Street's forecast, as residents of the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast region and others improved or rebuilt their houses.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (Reuters) - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday named Scott A. Taub as acting chief accountant in a move to fill one of several vacancies in the agency's senior ranks.

The Sara Lee Corporation is selling its European clothing unit to an affiliate of the Sun Capital Partners investment firm for more than $117 million.

By Reuters.

Standard & Poor's said that Amazon.com, the Internet retailer, would join its flagship 500-stock index after the close of trading on Friday.

The president of Vincor International is focusing on a a hostile takeover bid from Constellation Brands valued at $1.18 billion.

The crucial issue for many people at a United Nations summit meeting on the information age is that control of the Internet is mainly in the hands of the U.S.

By The Associated Press.

BY any measure, Koch Industries is a huge company, even if little known outside the oil patch. With 30,000 employees in 50 countries, and a growth rate of 1,600 percent since 1961, the privately held global energy conglomerate is one of the biggest companies that is not a household name.

Lewis H. Lapham, the editor of Harper's Magazine for nearly 30 years, said that he would retire as editor in the spring.

By Bloomberg News.

Linking hospital payments to the quality of patient care can significantly improve the level of care, Medicare officials said.

Thomas H. Lee Partners, the private equity firm that owns more than half of Refco, the collapsed futures and commodities brokerage firm, sued former Refco executives yesterday, seeking to recover at least $245 million.

Problems with natural gas production mean shortages and higher prices as consumers compete with businesses.

Orlando, Fla.

By Bloomberg News.

By Bloomberg News.

Microsoft is planning to unveil its first entry into the market for high-performance scientific and technical computing.

Visa USA is unexpectedly dismissing its creative agency for the last two decades, BBDO Worldwide, and shifting the account to TBWA/Chiat/Day.

By Reuters.

A scandal that has wracked Brazil's government may yet topple an official long considered a pillar of stability: Antonio Palocci, the influential finance minister.

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Nov. 14 (AP) - The Host Marriott Corporation will buy 38 hotels from Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide for about $3.4 billion to expand its upscale and overseas hotel and resort holdings.

Many business travelers do not want their hotels to convey a 'hip urban attitude.'

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company, the buyout firm, agreed to purchase an Italian maker of automotive lubricants, F. L. Selenia of Turin, for $976 million.

FIGHTING FOR SEATS ... It's better-plan-ahead time again for business travelers. Airlines based in the United States will carry a record 21.7 million passengers on domestic and international flights during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period (which begins Saturday and ends Nov. 29), the Air Transport Association estimates. Last year, the airline trade group said, 16.3 million passengers traveled by air during the period, the busiest of the year.

I AM obsessed with airline timetables. As a kid, I would collect systems timetables from as many airlines as possible, creating fantasy trips, stringing connections from one destination to another in as short a time as possible. My goal was to also create an imaginary trip around the world through exotic places like Istanbul and Calcutta.

Shareholders Endorse.