UNITED STATES

Millions of gallons/liters of oil have spewed into the Gulf of Mexico since an April 20 explosion on a drilling rig triggered the worst spill in U.S. history.

Toyota Motor Corp said on Tuesday it had received reports more than three years ago of faulty engine valve springs at the center of a U.S. recall of nearly 139,000 luxury Lexus vehicles it announced last week.

The euro fell from seven-week highs against the dollar on Wednesday on concerns about the growth outlook for the global economy and plans to test the financial health of European banks.

Stocks advanced more than 1 percent on Wednesday as a bullish earnings forecast by institutional investor State Street Corp lifted bank shares and higher crude oil prices boosted the energy sector.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday after six straight sessions of losses, lifted by hopes of a strong earnings season and expectations data will show a drop in U.S. crude inventories.

Gold edged higher on Wednesday, rising back above $1,190 an ounce, as fresh demand emerged for the precious metal after its correction from recent record highs, which helped offset pressure from a firmer dollar.

European regulators were debating how much detail to reveal about health checks of the region's banks on Wednesday, in a fight that may threaten to undermine the purpose of the exercise.

CPM, a New York-based commodities analysis firm, has predicted that platinum group metals are set to make a roaring investment option in the coming years.

Wall Street rose on Wednesday as a higher profit outlook from bank State Street Corp reinforced hopes of a better-than-expected earnings season and trumped fears of slower global economic growth.

BP's boss met officials from Abu Dhabi state funds on Wednesday as prospects for fresh investment and progress toward closing a leaking U.S. oil well lifted the company's battered shares.

Gold recovered in afternoon trade on Wednesday, but a firmer dollar and a report that China would not make gold a major part of its reserves undermined sentiment. Physical interest in the metal at lower prices and strong chart support after its recent correction helped limit early losses, analysts said.

After stock markets, bullion and commodities markets, India, is now gearing up for a newer investment asset class - currency futures. Considering the risk and uncertainty involved with volatility in foreign exchange rates, especially for the exporters, hedging in currency futures is now picking up pace among the investors.

Israel is giving tough competition to India's Surat in diamond processing. according to half-yearly figures, Israeli diamond industry is showing clear-cut signs of recovery. In this period, exports and imports of polished and rough diamonds jumped by an average of 104% over the first half of 2009.

The euro fell from seven-week highs against the dollar on Wednesday on concerns about the growth outlook for the global economy and as investors scrutinized details of plans to test the financial health of European banks.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday, pulling up after a losing streak in the past six trading sessions, supported by an expected fall in crude oil inventories in the United States, the world's top energy consumer.

U.S. online retailer Amazon.com Inc has launched an Internet grocery service in Britain, it said on Wednesday, joining a fast-growing but competitive market.

Family Dollar Stores Inc posted a higher quarterly profit as U.S. consumers continued to seek out cheap food and other everyday items as unemployment remains high, but forecast fourth-quarter earnings below expectations.

The euro slipped off seven-week highs against the dollar on Wednesday on concerns about the global economic recovery and as investors scrutinized details of plans to test the financial health of European banks.

Gold eased in Europe on Wednesday, extending the last session's losses, due to a stronger dollar and a report that China would not make gold a major part of its reserves undermined sentiment. Physical interest in the metal at lower prices and strong chart support after its recent correction were likely to limit further losses, analysts said.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday, recovering from the losing streak of the past six trading sessions, supported from an expected fall in crude oil inventories in the United States, the world's top energy consumer.

The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into whether some HSBC Holdings Plc clients may have failed to disclose offshore accounts, lawyers familiar with the probe said on Tuesday.