UNITED KINGDOM

Trust in business has rebounded from 10-year lows in the United States, but the majority of Americans still do not count on corporate America to do what is right, according to a survey released on Thursday.

Chinese stocks see-sawed in skittish trade on Thursday, as the central bank reaffirmed loose monetary policy, while other Asian markets regained enough poise after the previous day's shakeout to edge back to 2009 highs.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday pressed China's responsibility to lead the global fight against climate change, which, Ban said, was the major focus of his trip in Asia.

Britain's leading institutional investors could join forces to bypass investment banks in a protest over the fees they charge for rights issues, The Times reported.

Hong Kong has found a new variant of the H3N2 seasonal influenza virus, the spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Wednesday, urging high-risk groups to get influenza vaccinations.

Japanese car manufacturers unexpectedly posted profits on Wednesday and Mercedes-maker Daimler forecast improving performance this year but clear signs of sustained recovery for the world's battered auto sector remained elusive.

The Aussie dollar appeared to be heading back below the 82 cent mark yesterday before comments from the RBA governor Stevens sparked a wild buying frenzy in afternoon trade. Speaking at a charity lunch his comments on the prospects for the local economy he said he can “imagine more upside risks to the economy to balance out downside risks”, a signal that rates are more likely to go up rather than down from here.

Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over ordinary food, according to a major study published Wednesday.

Japanese car manufacturers unexpectedly posted profits on Wednesday and Mercedes-maker Daimler forecast improving performance this year but clear sings of sustained recovery for the world's battered auto sector remained elusive.

China and the United States signed a memorandum promising greater cooperation in tacking climate chaneg, energy and the environment. BP Plc and Valero Energy Corp. reported earnings for the second quarter reflecting the economic downturn has hit hard the oil industry.

Microsoft Corp has started accepting submission of mobile phone software applications from registered developers.

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust is looking at acquisition opportunities in Canada in the short term and will likely close a deal by the end of the year, Chief Executive Edward Sonshine said in an interview with Reuters.

A Chinese manufacturer filed a patent infringement suit against U.S. retailer giants, marking a rare case that a Chinese firm seeks to enforce patent rights in a U.S. court.

With no local data releases yesterday the Aussie dollar took direction from equity markets which began their reporting season in Australia.

British forces remaining in Iraq will withdraw to Kuwait by the end of the month after Iraq's parliament adjourned this week without passing a deal allowing them to stay to help protect oil facilities.

Vodafone said on Tuesday there was no sale process underway for Deutsche Telekom'sT-Mobile UK subsidiary, at a gloomy annual meeting overshadowed by economic and performance concerns.

Oil giant BP Plc reported a 53 percent drop in second quarter net replacement cost profit to $3.14 billion on Tuesday, due to a halving in crude and gas prices and weaker refining margins.

Economic woes are taking a toll on marriages and relationships around the globe but the love lives of Americans seem to be most stressed by the recession, according to an international poll.

EBay Inc will slash fees by 20 percent for its top-rated sellers and push their listings higher up in the search queue, part of steps to try to rev up its long-stagnant Marketplaces arm.

Debate over controversial EU laws on hedge funds shifted to the United States on Monday as a key industry body warned of protectionist aspects of the rules which have prompted Washington to lobby for changes. The Alternative Investment Management Association said the planned laws on alternative investment funds create potentially major difficulties and loss of business for funds and investors...

A British teen-ager who phoned the White House and claimed as part of a drunken prank that there was a bomb in the center of New York, escaped jail on Monday.