Asian stock markets began the week on a firm footing, as optimism about the state of the global economy once again gained the upper hand.

A deal to sell Procter & Gamble?s prescription drug business to Warner Chilcott for $3 billion may be announced as early as Monday.

Asian shares rise, boosted by comments from Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke that the US economy may be recovering.

Confidence among business professionals sees the biggest rise for two years, suggesting the UK recession is at an end, a survey says.

Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, recalls 690,000 cars made in China because of faulty electrical window switches.

The devastating effect of the recession in Serbia

How a family-run costume hire firm continues to thrive

Fertile land and mineral-rich, yet Africans in poverty

Are we keeping our taste for treats in the downturn?

English seaside resorts have been hit by above-average levels of unemployment despite the trend for 'staycations', says the TUC.

Housebuilder Bovis Homes says it is worried about the potential impact of rising unemployment on house prices.

The board of General Motors meets but does not make a decision on who should buy its Opel-Vauxhall division.

Scottish broadcaster STV confirms that it is dropping more ITV network dramas from its schedule.

The Chelsea Building Society has revealed it has lost £41m as a result of mortgage fraud involving some of its buy-to-let borrowers.

Confidence among British business professionals sees the biggest rise for two years, suggesting the recession is over.

Industrial orders in the eurozone rose in June, suggesting the manufacturing sector could be emerging from recession.

An International Monetary Fund mission visits Serbia to decide whether to release the second tranche of a 3bn euros loan.

The UK government should spend more money to tackle youth unemployment, says the CBI employers' group.

MPs are calling for the agency in charge of safety-testing lorries and buses to be given extra powers to get dangerous foreign vehicles off the road.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pledges to buy diamonds, as part of a $1bn (£605m) industry support package.

Scottish businessmen considering a bid to buy the Scotsman newspaper say discussions are at an early stage.

Scottish broadcaster STV confirms that it is dropping more ITV network dramas from its schedule.

Fewer requests for information about pension values shows confidence in retirement savings is rising, says consultants Aon.

Reuters - China will maintain its stimulative policy stance because the economy, far from being on solid footing, is facing fresh difficulties, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday.

Reuters - Germany is ready for further talks with General Motors on the sale of European carmaker Opel and wants to avoid confrontation with the U.S. firm on the matter, a government spokesman said on Monday.

Entering a fiercely competitive, fast-growing market, Nokia said its first netbook, the Nokia Booklet 3G, will offer up to 12 hours of battery life and weigh about 2.5 pounds.

The publisher of the popular monthly magazine and dozens of other titles filed for prearranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of its restructuring plan.

For longtime residents of a block in Moreno Valley, Calif., the financial crisis has had the odd effect of bringing stability to their family life.

Trading in Global Gaming Factory shares are suspended as investigators examine its purchase of The Pirate Bay.

In a response to a federal inquiry, telecoms firm AT&T admits it had a deal with Apple to limit voice over IP applications.

The latest unemployment figures reveal that 6% of the Taiwan labour force is now out of work.

Will water, energy and food run low worldwide in 2030?

But are World Cup benefits being equally shared?

British Gas owner Centrica takes majority control in Aberdeen-based Venture Production, the company it has been pursuing.

Reuters - Stock index futures rose on Monday after four straight positive sessions for Wall Street, as global stocks hit 10-month highs on hopes that the U.S. economy will soon start to recover from recession.

Reuters - Oil crept up to near $74 a barrel on Monday within sight of a 10-month high, supported by optimism that an economic recovery will spur a rebound in energy demand.

Wall Street opened higher, following Asian and European markets upward, as optimism about the state of the global economy once again gained the upper hand.

Warner Chilcott has agreed to buy Procter & Gamble?s prescription drug business, a move that could more than double its revenue.

Apple' has confirmed a release date of 28 August for the update of its operating system, dubbed Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

Plans to construct the tallest building in Wales as part of a £500m development are abandoned.

British Gas owner Centrica increases its stake in Aberdeen-based Venture Production to 50.3%.

Reuters - Stocks opened higher on Monday, with stocks extending last week's gains on signs that major world economies were emerging from recession.

Reuters - Warner Chilcott, an Irish drugmaker that specializes in contraceptives and female hormone treatments, will buy Procter & Gamble Co's pharmaceuticals business for $3.1 billion, the companies said on Monday.

Reuters - The German government sought to calm a growing transatlantic row over the fate of carmaker Opel on Monday as unions threatened 'spectacular measures' to force a decision by U.S. parent General Motors.

Oil prices rise to 10-month highs on fresh signs that the global economic recovery is gathering pace.

Mobile phone giant Nokia has entered the PC market with Booklet, its 3G and wi-fi connected netbook.

Reuters - Stocks rose to 10-month highs on Monday, extending last week's gains as investors became even more optimistic about signs that major world economies were emerging from recession.

Airlines are again turning more attention to customers who travel most often, increasingly offering them incentives like double-mile awards.

Mitsubishi Motors closes its Venezuelan car assembly plant, blaming increased levels of worker militancy.

Reuters - The Dow industrials and the S&P 500 pared gains on Monday, and the Nasdaq turned negative as the earlier rally lost steam and financial and technology shares fell.

Reuters - Bank of America Corp has agreed to pay $150 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the former Merrill Lynch & Co of misleading investors in connection with the sale of bonds and preferred stock, court records show.

Reuters - Oil prices rallied to a 10-month high near $75 a barrel on Monday, part of a broad global rally in commodities and equities markets propelled by expectations for an economic recovery.

Reuters - Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, fewer than three weeks after it closed its mortgage lending business and was suspended by a federal agency.

Bank of America, in a court filing, said it acted properly when it did not disclose details about bonuses paid at Merrill Lynch in advance of a shareholder vote.

The price of crude oil hit its highest point of the year while Wall Street gave back earlier gains as the trading day closed.

Thomas Middelhoff, ex-chief executive of Arcandor, has been scrutinized over the company?s real estate deals and his administrative expenses.

The filing comes shortly after Taylor Bean closed its mortgage lending business and was suspended by a federal agency.

The federal data protection commissioner said Google's pictures, which were introduced last week, violated Switzerland's privacy laws.

Price cuts mean that flying business class no longer is a luxury that very few can afford. That's good news for flyers, but trouble for airlines.

Critics warn of risks over starting a large corporate project with new technologies in north African countries with weak rule of law.

Reuters - U.S. stocks ended little changed on Monday as investors took a breather after a four-day rally that lifted major indexes to 10-month highs.

Reuters - Americans swamped auto dealerships on Monday during the final hours of the U.S. government's popular 'cash-for-clunkers' program, offering rebates of up to $4,500 to trade in older gas guzzlers.

Reuters - Bank of America Corp mounted an aggressive defense of Merrill Lynch & Co's awarding of $3.6 billion of bonuses last year, as it tries to persuade a federal judge to approve a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over its own disclosures.

Reuters - General Motors Co is considering keeping its Opel business in Europe instead of selling it by winning billions of dollars in aid from the U.S. and European governments, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

AP - Ten state attorneys general and four federal agencies are forming a task force to combat mortgage fraud.

Founded on the concept that anyone could change its content, the online encyclopedia is requiring reviews after embarrassing incidents.

Bank of America, in a court filing, said it acted properly when it did not disclose details about bonuses paid at Merrill Lynch in advance of a shareholder vote.

The women?s apparel chain put itself up for sale in March after turning down an unsolicited bid last year.

The publisher of the popular monthly magazine and dozens of other titles filed for prearranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of its restructuring plan.

Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott is buying the pharmaceutical business of Procter & Gamble for $3.1bn.

Reuters - U.S. stocks ended the day barely changed on Monday as investors took a break from a four-day rally that lifted major indexes to 10-month highs.

Reuters - Americans swamped auto dealerships on Monday during the final hours of the U.S. government's popular 'cash-for-clunkers' program, offering rebates of up to $4,500 to trade in older gas guzzlers.

AP - Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp. said Monday it filed for bankruptcy protection after moves this month by regulators led to a virtual shutdown of what had been one of the nation's biggest independent mortgage bankers.

With cheap loans, electricity and labor, Chinese companies are pulling ahead in the solar product industry.

Thomas Middelhoff, ex-chief executive of Arcandor, has been scrutinized over the company?s real estate deals and his administrative expenses.

Now that the intense financial pressure on General Motors has eased, the automaker has the luxury of time to consider new alternatives for selling its Opel unit.

Warner Chilcott has agreed to buy Procter & Gamble?s prescription drug business, a move that could more than double its revenue.

After a day of overloaded computers, the Transportation Department extended the deadline for completing cash-for-clunkers paperwork until noon on Tuesday.

The CW is going all out to promote its new vampire series, which the network says should appeal to its young demographic.

In the years since it parted ways with its private equity arm, JPMorgan has collected billions in fees advising buyout firms.

For a dyslexic, getting a private pilot?s license was a huge personal victory, and it made her a better business traveler.

The filing comes shortly after Taylor Bean closed its mortgage lending business and was suspended by the Federal Housing Administration.

The publisher of the popular monthly magazine and dozens of other titles filed for prearranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of its restructuring plan.

Reuters - Bank of America Corp and the top U.S. securities regulator sought to persuade a judge to approve their $33 million settlement of a civil lawsuit over the lack of disclosure of billions of dollars of bonuses at Merrill Lynch & Co.

Reuters - General Motors Co is considering a plan to raise funding to keep Opel as an alternative to selling the unit to Magna International (MGa.TO) with financing from the German government, sources with knowledge of the deliberations said on Monday.

President Obama plans to nominate Ben S. Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, administration officials said Monday night.

Founded on the concept that anyone could change its content, the online encyclopedia is requiring reviews on articles about living people after embarrassing incidents.

Kickstarter, an Internet start-up, chooses artistic projects it deems worthy of support, then invites mini-patrons to contribute money.

Now that the intense financial pressure on General Motors has eased, the automaker has the luxury of time to consider new alternatives for selling its Opel unit.

The finger-pointing in Merrill Lynch?s bonus troubles shifted to a new target on Monday in two courts that essentially said: blame the lawyers.

A case discloses links among a former American cycling champion, computer hackers, ex-intelligence agents and some of the country?s biggest companies.

Some airlines? flight attendants have been telling passengers that federal regulation prohibits personal items of any kind being placed in seatback pockets.

The daughter of a woman who died of lung cancer in 2003 won punitive damages in a case going back to 2001.

After a day of overloaded computers, the Transportation Department extended the deadline for completing cash-for-clunkers paperwork until noon on Tuesday.

The bank?s governor cited signs of global growth as a reason to increase the lending rate to 0.75 percent.

Prosecutors charged Mary Wong with stealing $3 million from eight victims. Football players may have been involved, but it was unclear if they lost money.

In the years since it parted ways with its private equity arm, JPMorgan has collected billions in fees advising buyout firms.

Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama will nominate Ben Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve on Tuesday as the economy shows signs of recovery, a senior administration official said on Monday.

Reuters - A federal judge on Monday ruled against an effort by the U.S. Federal Reserve to block disclosure of companies that participated in and securities covered by a series of emergency funding programs as the global credit crisis began to intensify.

AP - Lowe's Cos. said Monday it is forming a joint venture with Australia's largest retailer, Woolworths Ltd., to develop home-improvement stores.

President Obama plans to nominate Ben S. Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, administration officials said Monday night.

The daughter of a woman who died of lung cancer in 2003 won punitive damages in a case going back to 2001.