The United States Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the Chrysler bankruptcy settlement, clearing the way for the sale of Chrysler?s key assets to a group led by Fiat.

The global economic freefall may have stopped, but data from the Asia-Pacific region suggests that a return to growth may be months off.

FedEx is fighting a labor bill in Congress making it easier for workers to form unions by taking shots at its chief rival, U.P.S., which is unionized.

An announcement that large banks will be allowed to repay their bailout money was taken as good news, but not unexpected news.

A long-dormant office corridor outside White Plains has been revived by drawing downtown tenants with competitive rents, flexible space arrangements and amenities like a day care center.

Mr. Brinker helped put casual dining and salad bars on the American menu with the Steak and Ale, Bennigan?s chains, and Chili?s restaurants.

The US government is to unveil executive pay rules for firms that have been bailed out by the end of the week.

The London Stock Exchange and private-equity firm 3i are likely to rejoin the benchmark FTSE 100 index.

Reuters - The Obama administration will unveil executive pay rules for firms receiving government aid by the end of the week and will name a pay czar with power to reject compensation plans at firms getting 'exceptional assistance,' an administration official said late on Tuesday.

The casino-resort developer said Tuesday it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after failing to get about $800 million in construction funding.

Beyond the sniping between Democrats and Republicans about how the government racked up so much debt, there is enough blame to go around.

Oil prices rose over $71 a barrel, a new high for year so far, on hopes of an economic recovery.

While a lot of us are tightening up our belts because of the economic crisis, it seems most parents are reluctant to spoil their children's anniversary, and some are still splashing enormous sums of cash, on hosting spectacular birthdays.

BSkyB refused a £50m lifeline to Irish pay-TV broadcaster Setanta - which is facing administration - it has emerged.

Reuters - Asian shares rallied on Wednesday as reports of stronger-than-expected industrial output in China raised optimism about the global economy, lifting metals and oil prices at or near multi-month highs.

AFP - The leading German retailer, Metro, wants to add distressed rival Arcandor to its basket and possibly list a new group on the stock exchange, Metro boss Eckhard Cordes said.

Metro, Germany's biggest retail group, wants to buy the assets of collapsed retailer Arcandor.

The German cabinet has approved a 'bad bank' scheme to enable the country's regional banks to remove toxic assets from their balance sheets.

Spanish retailer Inditex, parent of the Zara fashion chain, said that profits fell due to the economic downturn.

China's consumer price inflation has fallen for the fourth straight month.

UK industrial output rose unexpectedly in April - the first month-on-month climb since February 2008, official figures have shown.

Halfords enjoys record sales of camping equipment, but a fall in the price of sat-nav systems hit profits.

Reuters - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 1.3 percent, Dow Jones futures up 1.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 1.1 percent.

Reuters - European Union leaders will call at a summit next week for rapid progress on agreeing and implementing new financial regulations to prevent another global economic crisis, a draft summit declaration showed on Wednesday.

AFP - The leading German retailer, Metro, wants to snap up distressed rival Arcandor and possibly list a new group on the stock exchange, Metro boss Eckhard Cordes said on Wednesday.

Asian stock markets recovered Wednesday as oil prices touched a new high for 2009 near $71 a barrel.

The home improvement retailer said it now expected its earnings to be anywhere from flat to down 7 percent.

The new target of reducing emissions 15 percent by 2020 from 2005 fell short of campaigners? calls for steep cuts.

EU ministers back a framework for improving financial supervision but the EU is split over what powers new regulators should have.

Global oil consumption fell 0.6% in 2008, the first time there has been a fall since 1993, according to BP.

The UK aerospace sector is likely to cut 10% of jobs in the next year, about 10,000 posts, the industry body warns.

Japan's core machinery orders fall further than expected, government figures show, with a drop of 5.4% in April.

Reuters - Stock futures pointed to opening gains of more than 1 percent on Wednesday, following a rally in global stock markets underpinned by higher commodity and energy prices.

Reuters - Home Depot Inc raised its 2009 profit forecast and stood by its sales expectations on Wednesday ahead of a meeting with analysts and investors, sending its shares up 3.4 percent.

Reuters - A spike in U.S. mortgage rates drove down total home loan applications last week as demand for refinancing shriveled to the lowest level since November, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday.

BusinessWeek Online - Talk about a negative feedback loop: It looks like investors' expectations for an economic recovery could end up delaying that very scenario. Fear of inflation and concerns over the long-term impact of ballooning government debt have been driving up yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes, which reached 3.91% on June 8 before easing back to 3.84% the next day.

AP - Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest home improvement retailer, said Wednesday that its full-year earnings from continuing operations may come in better than previously forecast.

Chrysler completed its deal with Fiat on Wednesday, largely ending its quick trip through bankruptcy after the Supreme Court lifted a stay on the deal Tuesday.

Total exports fell 2.3 percent to $121.1 billion, the lowest level for foreign sales since mid-2006, the Commerce Department said.

Manufacturers and ordinary computer users cite concerns about censorship, damage to PCs and state spying.

A spike in oil prices helped to drive Wall Street higher, enticing traders to bid up the prices of gold, copper and other commodities.

Chrysler and Fiat complete the deal that will leave Fiat owning 20% of a new Chrysler Group.

Broadcaster Setanta confirms it has stopped taking on new customers as it attempts to secure its future.

Reuters - Nasdaq turned negative on Wednesday, while the Dow industrials and the S&P 500 pared gains as investors worried that surging oil prices may hurt spending and hamper any economic recovery.

Reuters - Home Depot Inc said earnings could be flat this year, rather than falling as it previously forecast, saying the worst of the U.S. housing correction had passed.

Reuters - Spiking U.S. mortgage rates drove down total home loan applications last week as demand for refinancing shriveled to the lowest level since November, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Procter & Gamble Co's incoming chief executive may need to call on his West Point training as he tries to lead the consumer products maker through a time when shoppers are increasingly thrifty.

The Obama administration appointed Kenneth R. Feinberg to the new post, giving him broad discretion to set pay for 175 top executives at seven of the nation?s largest companies.

Chrysler completed its deal with Fiat on Wednesday, largely ending its quick trip through bankruptcy after the Supreme Court lifted a stay on the deal Tuesday.

The company cited Robert A. McDonald?s broad experience and his 29 years with the company.

In the debate about how the government racked up so much debt, there is enough blame to go around.

Violent attacks on trade union members are increasing, the International Trade Union Confederation says.

The merger of Ticketmaster and concert promoter Live Nation has been referred to the Competition Commission.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq dropping 1 percent, on concern that surging oil prices may hurt an economic recovery, pulling down shares of technology companies and big manufacturers.

Reuters - The Obama administration on Wednesday will name a pay czar with the power to reject compensation plans for top employees at companies receiving 'exceptional' government aid, an administration official said on Wednesday.

Chrysler completed its deal with Fiat on Wednesday, largely ending its quick trip through bankruptcy after the Supreme Court lifted a stay on the deal Tuesday.

Fiat took control of Chrysler, in a sale completed 42 days after Chrysler sought bankruptcy protection. Here are some answers to questions about Chrysler?s future.

The long-awaited move is expected to give the United States government a 34 percent ownership stake in the troubled bank.

Wall Street wavered as investors worried that rising interest rates on government bonds and home mortgages could impede the broader economy.

Manufacturers and computer users cited concerns about censorship, damage to PCs and state spying.

Reuters - Stocks extended losses on Wednesday as results of a Treasury auction raised the specter of higher borrowing costs.

Reuters - U.S. economic conditions were weak or got worse through May, but some areas of the country saw signs the contraction was moderating, a Federal Reserve report said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Oil prices surged to a seven-month high near $72 a barrel on Wednesday after a U.S. government report showed a slowdown in crude imports eating away at inventories in the world's top energy user.

Reuters - A U.S. money manager who ran a financial planning firm has been arrested on charges of defrauding clients of more than $6 million by stealing from their accounts, authorities said on Wednesday.

Reuters - J.C. Penney Co Inc is more optimistic about its fourth quarter than the rest of its fiscal year, hoping new styles and affordable prices will help it win more sales than it did in the dismal 2008 holiday season.

The Obama administration appointed Kenneth R. Feinberg to the new post, giving him broad discretion to set pay for 175 top executives at seven of the nation?s largest companies.

Shipping and commodity executives are questioning China?s motives as it piles up extra quantities of products like iron ore, aluminum and soybeans.

A government-backed patent registry would track patients? results and watch for shoddy devices and inferior surgical practices.

Wall Street wavered as investors worried that rising interest rates on government bonds and home mortgages could impede the broader economy.

While the economy may be dreary, the Federal Reserve said there was slightly improved data in a few areas.

Total exports fell 2.3 percent to $121.1 billion, the lowest level for foreign sales since mid-2006, the Commerce Department said.

China is facing a storm of protest over new regulations requiring all personal computers sold in the country to include filtering software.

Environmentalists say Japan?s goals are insufficient, but there are also protests from business leaders who say the economy is not strong enough to handle such changes yet.

The decision is a setback for the music and movie industries, which had praised the French law as a solution to illegal file sharing.

Ron Bloom, a senior adviser on the administration?s auto industry task force, told Congress that Washington?s spending on G.M. and Chrysler has saved ?hundreds of thousands of jobs.?

US economic activity remains weak but some areas saw signs the decline was beginning to ease, the Federal Reserve says.

Reuters - U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday on worry that rising interest rates could stall a recovery in consumer and business spending.

Reuters - U.S. economic conditions were weak or got worse through May, but some areas of the country saw signs the contraction was moderating, a Federal Reserve report said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Investors sent a clear signal to the U.S. government on Wednesday. Pay up.

E-mails from the Federal Reserve indicate Bank of America?s executives were pressed to stay quiet about Merrill Lynch?s financial condition, a document written by House Republicans claims.

While the economy may be dreary, the Federal Reserve said there was slightly improved data in a few areas.

The US appoints a 'pay czar' to review executive compensation packages for firms that have received government bail-outs.

Reuters - U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday on worries that rising interest rates could put a damper on consumer and business spending, but stocks pared losses late in the session to finish off the day's lows.

Reuters - Gaping U.S. trade and budget deficits and a weak auction of government debt that pushed interest rates higher pointed to a bumpy road to recovery for the world's largest economy on Wednesday.

Shipping and commodity executives are questioning China?s motives as it piles up extra quantities of products.

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Delphi to open its sales process to other possible bidders, paving the way for alternatives to a deal struck last week with Platinum Equity.

Environmentalists say Japan?s goals are insufficient, but there are also protests from business leaders who say the economy is not strong enough to handle such changes yet.

The company cited Robert A. McDonald?s broad experience and his 29 years with the company.

Rural workers pay hidden cost of biofuels in Colombia

Hovercraft are still going strong after 50 years

Some local councils with money in Icelandic banks showed a 'lack of expertise' when dealing with public funds, MPs say.

A federal proposal to restrict executive pay has the potential to humble seven large institutions that have received billions of dollars in bailout money.

Kenneth R. Feinberg, appointed by the Obama administration as the compensation official for companies on federal assistance, has experience in mediating complicated disputes.

Changing the culture at General Motors is expected to be a significant challenge for the government.

As other banks prepare to exit the bailout program, the government is tightening its grip on Citigroup, calling for change at the bank.

E-mails from the Federal Reserve indicate Bank of America?s executives were pressed to stay quiet about Merrill Lynch?s financial condition, a document written by House Republicans claims.

Kirk Kerkorian?s bets on MGM Mirage and Ford are not panning out at the moment, but companies in distress have always been his specialty.

A personal-finance columnist?s financial planner is charged with looting client?s accounts of at least $6 million.

Investors pulled away from government debt, even as an auction of 10-year Treasury notes drew relatively strong demand.

The government said the trade gap grew in April for a second month, while the Federal Reserve?s June beige book showed continuing economic weakness.

A government-backed patent registry would track patients? results over time and watch for shoddy devices and inferior surgical practices.

The government spent billions to shore up two of Detroit?s giants, but the third, Ford, got the largest share of money used to upgrade the federal fleet.

Ad campaigns, books, DVDs, coins and more are all among efforts to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, and sell some merchandise.

Data on Wednesday underscored what economists have long been cautioning: that a return to actual growth is months off, and that once it does arrive, it will be feeble.

Brazil offers $10bn to the IMF to boost credit to developing countries, ahead of a summit with Russia, India and China.

Changing the culture at General Motors is expected to be a significant challenge for the government.

A study found that small businesses, already burdened by high health care costs, could save money under a mandate to purchase coverage for employees.

Jonathan Rubinstein, who has served as Palm?s chairman since October 2007, will continue in that position as he succeeds Ed Colligan as chief executive.

Cities are gambling millions in taxpayer dollars to promote biotechnology, an industry that has turned a profit only one year in the past four decades.

Joy Behar, a longtime co-host of ?The View,? is joining HLN to present a 9 p.m. talk show. She will continue to appear on ?The View? in the morning.

A judge said that the auto parts maker Delphi needed to open up its bankruptcy dealings.

Two studies show that faking enthusiasm and other hints at slickness can kill a deal.

Ron Bloom, an adviser to President Obama?s auto task force, said the government should be able get most, if not all, of its investment back.

Japan's economy shrinks at a record pace in the first three months of the year, but slightly less than expected.

Reuters - The two primary U.S. financial market regulators are drafting legislation to implement the Obama administration's proposed crackdown on over-the-counter derivatives, said sources familiar with discussions at the agencies late on Wednesday.