Mr. Wiener helped to found Infinity Broadcasting, which would go on to expand to dozens of stations and would hire Howard Stern.

Beijing calls on Australia to 'respect' its legal system, as it probes allegations of bribery by workers at Rio Tinto.

UK bank Barclays announces pre-tax profits of £2.98bn for the first six months of 2009, boosted by its investment banking arm.

Reuters - Asian stocks inched up to an 11-month high on Monday on mounting evidence that the global economic recovery is picking up speed, giving a boost to oil and copper prices while hurting the safe-haven U.S. dollar.

Reuters - The punishing four-year decline in U.S. auto sales may have reached a turning point this week -- just as Michael Papa handed over the keys to his 1996 Ford Explorer for a government-sponsored trade-in.

Reuters - A closely-watched gauge of U.S. factory activity likely rose in July but stayed below the level showing expansion, suggesting the economy might start to emerge from recession in the second half of the year.

Barclays, the world?s third-largest bank in terms of assets, said that profit in the first half rose by 10 percent, lower than analysts? forecasts, and pretax profit from Barclays Capital doubled.

Panasonic reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss as it cut costs to fight a firmer yen and weak TV and digital camera demand, and it stood by its annual outlook for its net loss to shrink by half.

HSBC reports profits of $5bn (£2.98bn) for the first six months of 2009, down by about half from a year ago.

German retail sales fall by 1.8% in June from a month earlier, despite many analysts expecting a slight rise.

House prices in England will fall this year and next before recovering, the National Housing Federation forecasts.

The benefits and tax credits system is too complex and needs radical reform, says the Centre for Policy Studies.

Reuters - World stocks climbed to a new 2009 high on Monday with banking news from Europe generally positive and signs of a pick up in Chinese economic activity lifting Asian shares.

Reuters - Shares in UBS are expected to rise on Monday after reports the bank would not have to pay a fine as part of the settlement of a tax dispute with the United States that is to be finalized later this week.

Reuters - Japan's Panasonic Corp reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss as it cut costs to fight a firmer yen and weak TV and digital camera demand, and it stood by its annual outlook for its net loss to shrink by half.

HSBC, Europe?s biggest bank, said its first-half profits halved from a year ago to $5 billion as it was hit by rising bad debts in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Barclays, the world?s third-largest bank in terms of assets, said that profit in the first half rose by 10 percent, lower than analysts? forecasts, and pretax profit from Barclays Capital doubled.

The Obama administration is talking with allies about the possibility of cutting off Iran?s gasoline imports if it doesn?t respond to an offer to discuss its nuclear program.

HSBC's half-year profits drop by half to $5bn (£2.98bn) amid rising bad debts in the US, Europe and Asia.

Sterling scales a 10-month peak against the dollar after upbeat data on the manufacturing sector raises hopes of recovery.

A New York woman who says she cannot find a job is suing the college where she obtained a bachelor's degree.

Why the cactus has become big business in Morocco

Nearly £4 should be added to a household electricity bill in each of the next five years as the network is upgraded.

Reuters - Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, tracking gains in Asia and Europe on mounting hopes that the global recession is abating.

Reuters - German government officials and General Motors representatives will meet the remaining bidders for Opel on Tuesday to work on forging a deal on who takes over the GM unit, government sources said on Monday. Two rounds of talks are planned, one with Canadian auto parts supplier Magna (MGa.TO) and one with RHJ International , a Belgium-based financial investor that traces its origins back to U.S. private equity firm Ripplewood.

Reuters - HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe's biggest bank, said its first-half profit halved from a year ago to $5 billion as it was hit by rising bad debts in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Many analysts had expected a first-half loss at HSBC, but the bank surprised with a $3.35 billion profit. Barclays said first-half profit rose 10 percent to $3.2 billion.

Higher premiums from the company's Medicare and commercial insurance programs helped second-quarter results at the company.

Investment losses hurt second-quarter profit at the conglomerate.

Low demand for electronic goods such as digital cameras and televisions is blamed for another sharp loss at Panasonic.

Reuters - U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday following reassuring bank results from Europe and as investors bet that the global economy is on the road to recovery.

Reuters - The German government has seen encouraging signals in recent days in negotiations to take over Opel and has 'positive expectations' for talks this week, a government spokesman said on Monday.

Reuters - Conglomerate Loews Corp reported a lower-than-expected second-quarter profit on Monday, hurt mainly by higher investment losses.

BusinessWeek - Banks in the euro area have relaxed restrictions on borrowers from companies and households, while demand for home loans has surged for the first time since early 2006, a fresh survey by the European Central Bank has found.

AFP - German retail sales posted a surprise drop of 1.8 percent in June, but analysts disagreed on Monday over whether the provisional data was really bad news for Europe's biggest economy.

The move was the latest sign that the longtime allies in the computer world are beginning to compete for business.

Fresh signs of healing in the manufacturing and banking industries gave investors a reason to try to extend a powerful July rally.

Second-quarter profit fell 47 percent from a year ago when crude barrels fetched twice the price, but the results beat analysts' expectations.

The casino operator lost $212.6 million in the second quarter as it recorded hefty impairment charges and consumers gambled less.

Sales were down at the brewer, but higher prices and cost cuts helped results.

Higher chicken sales helped lift profit at the food company, following a prior-year period hammered by skyrocketing grain costs.

The pound and the FTSE 100 index of top UK shares hit their highest levels since October on growing hopes for a recovery.

Google chief Eric Schmidt quits Apple's board of directors because the search giant's business is overlapping Apple's.

Reuters - U.S. stocks headed for a higher open on Monday as solid results from major European banks and expectations of a sales rebound for Ford Motor Co reinforced hopes that the recession is moderating.

Reuters - Shares in UBS soared on Monday after reports said the Swiss bank would not pay a fine and would pass on fewer client names than expected in a settlement of U.S. tax litigation to be finalized later this week.

Reuters - Health insurer Humana Inc posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as an improved performance in its Medicare plans for the elderly offset a decline in earnings from its business serving employers.

It is the first year-over-year increase for any of the six largest carmakers since last August. Other carmakers are scheduled to report sales later on Monday.

Reports on manufacturing and housing sent the S. & P. index past 1,000 for the first time since early November.

The two giants also set aside a combined $22 billion to cover potentially bad debts.

It was the second increase in construction spending in three months as residential building increased, the latest indication that the housing sector may be recovering.

Car giant Ford says July's US sales were up 2.3% from a year ago, helped by the government's scrappage scheme.

Reuters - U.S. stocks rose on Monday after data showed the manufacturing sector shrunk at a slower pace in July, while rising commodity prices boosted natural resource stocks.

Reuters - A widely followed nationwide index on U.S. manufacturing could show the sector back on a growth path when the next report comes out in early September.

It is the first year-over-year increase for any of the six largest carmakers since last August. Other carmakers are scheduled to report sales later on Monday.

The company expects to lay off thousands of factory workers after the number who quit through a recent buyout and early retirement program fell short of its target.

The bank settled charges of making false statements to investors for $33 million without admitting or denying the allegations.

A survey finds that many consumers have grown weary of the often complicated and time-consuming process of planning and booking a trip online.

Veneuzelan officials say they are taking temporary control of two major coffee processors to investigate suspected hoarding.

Reuters - Bank of America Corp has agreed to pay $33 million to settle charges that it made false and misleading statements to investors about bonuses at Merrill Lynch & Co, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on Monday.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Monday after data showed the manufacturing sector edged closer to growth in July, while rising commodity prices boosted shares of natural resources companies.

Reuters - Shares of CIT Group rose 14.9 percent to $1.00 on Monday after the stock resumed trading following the company's announcement of an amended tender offer and interim tender results.

AP - The Obama administration wants to shame the mortgage industry into doing a better job of helping borrowers avoid losing their homes to foreclosure.

New vehicle sales hit an 11-month high in July, manufacturers reported, with Ford gaining more than G.M. or Chrysler from federal trade-in rebates.

The S.E.C. accused Bank of America of misleading investors about plans to pay billions of dollars in bonuses at Merrill Lynch, the troubled brokerage giant it bought last year.

Bank of America said it hired Sallie Krawcheck, most recently the head of wealth management at Citigroup, as head of its global wealth and investment management business.

International banks have agreed to lend to Ukraine about $1.7 billion to pay its gas bills to Russia, but the deal includes some politically tricky conditions for Kiev.

Some 6,000 hourly workers at General Motors are leaving their jobs through the firm's early retirement and buyout scheme, as it seeks to become a leaner firm.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Monday, pushing the S&P 500 index above 1,000 for the first time in nine months as data on the manufacturing sector underscored optimism that the economy was recovering.

Reuters - Troubled insurer American International Group Inc has chosen former MetLife Inc chief Robert Benmosche as its new CEO, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

AP - German retailer Metro AG made a net profit of euro48 million ($68 million) in the second quarter, rebounding from a loss a year earlier, while it said it remains focused on expansion despite the global economic crisis.

The American International Group said it has appointed Robert H. Benmosche as its new chief executive, its second since receiving billions of dollars in federal aid.

It can take years for income to bounce back after a layoff, and even longer in a recession, if at all, economists say.

Every expenditure over $100 must be tallied for Irving Picard, the trustee who is liquidating Bernard Madoff?s business.

A survey finds that many consumers have grown weary of the often complicated and time-consuming process of planning and booking a trip online.

The conglomerate had to look deep in its holdings to find positive second-quarter news.

US vehicle sales were mixed in July, with Ford sales rising year-on-year while GM and Chrysler sales fell.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Monday, pushing the S&P 500 index above 1,000 for the first time in nine months, as data on the manufacturing sector underscored optimism that the economy was recovering.

The approval of another $2 billion for the government ?cash for clunkers? program appeared more likely when two senators dropped their opposition.

The collapse of a deal between Colonial BancGroup and a mortgage lender appears to have prompted a federal investigation.

Every expenditure over $100 must be tallied for Irving Picard, the trustee who is liquidating Bernard Madoff?s business.

The two giants also set aside a combined $22 billion to cover potentially bad debts.

Pulte Homes Inc. says its second-quarter loss widened versus a year ago, but the homebuilder's results improved over the first quarter as the housing market started to recover.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. posted a loss of $226 million Monday for the second quarter because of falling energy prices and reduced demand.

Smooth-sailing for Australia's economy?

Bank of America agrees to pay a $33m fine to settle charges that it misled Merrill Lynch investors over bonuses.

Reuters - A U.S. bank regulator is expected to move quickly in finalizing guidelines on private equity investments in failed banks, possibly easing one of its most controversial proposals, sources said on Monday.

Approval of more funding for the ?cash for clunkers? program took a step forward as it won the support of two senators who had earlier criticized the plan.

The company expects to lay off thousands of factory workers after the number who quit through a recent buyout and early retirement program fell short of its target.

Known for reliability, Toyota has a lineup of mundane-looking vehicles that have failed to generate excitement among buyers.

As a backyard poultry trend sweeps the country, hatcheries that supply baby chicks say they can barely keep up with demand.

The firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson has released its 23rd annual forecast for communications spending, predicting further near-term contraction.

The S.E.C. accused Bank of America of misleading investors about plans to pay billions of dollars in bonuses at Merrill Lynch, the troubled brokerage giant it bought last year.

The American International Group said it has appointed Robert H. Benmosche as its new chief executive, its second since receiving billions of dollars in federal aid.

The resignation of Eric E. Schmidt was described as a mutual decision. Regulators say they are still investigating a board overlap between the companies.

As elections near, the Democratic Party of Japan is attracting voters with promises of more cash in hand.

The agency is talking with investment banks and hedge funds to assess the impact of high-frequency trading on financial markets.

New York City cabbies have been banned from using cellphones for a decade, but the rules remain almost entirely unenforced.

Apple wants its iPhone to be the only cellphone to link effortlessly to its service, but Palm is putting up a fight.

After two of his leading economic advisers left the door open to tax increases on the middle class, President Obama publicly renewed his promise not to do so.

A federal jury agreed with the government that Charles Conaway misled investors and concealed information from the board.

Developing a product for people over the age of 40 as they progressively lose the ability to focus on close objects.

A crisis that could lead some corners of the Internet to crash would compound the problems for stranded business travelers.

The meat producer says its chicken unit is likely to do worse next quarter.

The company?s income from continuing operations was $1.11 a share, easily topping the average analyst estimate.

Its earnings are bolstering the British bank?s shares, and it recently sold a part of its leveraged loan portfolio at par.

The conglomerate had to look deep in its holdings to find positive second-quarter news.

After a competitive eating event, the last thing on Timothy Janus?s mind is what?s for dinner on board the flight.

New York City cabbies have been banned from using cellphones for a decade, but the rules remain almost entirely unenforced.

Late Monday, Trump Entertainment Resorts chose Donald J. Trump?s $100 million cash offer to purchase the company out of bankruptcy.

Sallie Krawcheck, once a Citigroup executive, will oversee Merrill Lynch?s brokers and wealth management for Bank of America.

In advertisements, petitions and in a report on its Web site, the newsmagazine is objecting to Maziar Bahari?s treatment in the country, where he has yet to receive access to a lawyer.

Mr. Nierenberg founded Dansk International Designs, whose cookware and dinnerware helped bring the Scandinavian Modern style to the postwar American table.

The Tribune Company has two bidders, but the effort to sell the Cubs and Wrigley Field (and 25 percent of Comcast SportsNet Chicago) is being complicated by a bankruptcy filing.