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Lone Star to resume $3.9 bln KEB stake sale - KEB

Lone Star plans to resume selling a $3.9 billion majority stake in Korea Exchange Bank, KEB said, in what would rank as South Korea's biggest banking deal to date.

Gold may lose shine on increased risk appetite

The outlook for precious metals remain positive over the medium term and bearish over the long term.The sharp rise in gold prices over prior months, set against the prospects for economic recovery over the coming quarters, have eroded gold's attractiveness for investors, pushing capital towards riskier assets such as equities. Meanwhile, unwinding of government stimulus measures and monetary easing have dulled gold's lustre as a hedge.

AIG could learn fate of Taiwan unit deal soon

American International Group could learn the fate of the stalled $2.2 billion sale of its Taiwan unit Nan Shan Life Insurance as early as Thursday.

Barclays seen on lookout for U.S. bank deal

Barclays is on the lookout to buy a retail bank in the United States, according to reports, to build on its successful investment bank build-up there and create a buffer against regulatory reform.

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UK's Miliband urges push for Afghan peace deal

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband urged Afghans on Wednesday to push energetically for a peace settlement with Taliban insurgents and said Afghanistan's neighbors must support such an agreement.

Retaliation fears stalk Nigeria city after clashes

Sporadic shooting rang out overnight in the central Nigerian city of Jos and witnesses said at least one person was killed by soldiers enforcing a curfew days after attacks on three nearby Christian villages.

Democrats doubt deadline on healthcare

Congressional Democrats on Tuesday cast doubt on their chances of meeting the White House's March 18 deadline for voting on a stalled healthcare overhaul, but said they are moving as fast as they can.

U.N. agency punished Somalia whistleblower

The United Nations Ethics Committee has upheld complaints by a former employee of the U.N. Development Programme who said he suffered retaliation from the UNDP for alleging that its Somalia programme was corrupt.

Palestinians complain to Biden about settlement plan

Palestinians told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday that Israel's new plan to build 1,600 homes for Jewish settlers challenged Washington's efforts to get indirect peace talks underway.

Pelosi faces biggest test on healthcare vote

The leader of the House of Representatives -- a persuasive arm-twister and deal maker -- faces her toughest challenge yet in the coming weeks: getting 216 votes to pass final legislation revamping the U.S. healthcare system.

French minister says U.S. tanker affair not closed

A top French minister on Wednesday attacked the United States' handling of an aerial tanker contract, which has seen Europe's EADS drop out of the race, and said the matter was not over yet.

US home loan demand nudge higher in latest week

U.S. mortgage applications nudged up last week, reflecting increased demand for home purchase loans even as interest rates trekked higher, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.

Stock futures little changed after China data, deals

U.S. stock index futures barely budged on Wednesday after data showed Chinese exports and imports grew faster than expected and after a slew of new corporate deals.

Stock futures slightly higher after China data, deals

U.S. stock index futures barely budged on Wednesday after data showed Chinese exports and imports grew faster than expected and after a slew of new corporate deals.

Insurers' Chile quake hit won't up prices

Last month's huge earthquake in Chile might cost the insurance industry up to $7 billion in damage claims, the world's top two reinsurers said, but it looks unlikely to raise reinsurance prices.

IBM, universities target easy-to-use cellphones

IBM has started a two-year research program that aims to make cellphones easier to use for groups including the elderly and the illiterate.

Oil struggles for clear direction from $81.50

Oil failed to find momentum in either direction for a clear move away from $81.50 on Wednesday as investors waited for data on U.S. stocks or OPEC's monthly report ahead of next week's meeting to provide impetus.

China plans new trade office as global disputes grow: sources

China is setting up a new agency to help streamline its trade negotiating bureaucracy as the world's third-largest economy faces a growing number of commercial disputes.

Stock futures signal higher open; Facet eyed

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.07 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.09 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.25 percent.

Fiscal issues hit euro, sterling; stocks flat

Concerns over Europe's fiscal problems hit the euro and sterling on Wednesday, while world stocks hovered near their recent six-week highs, though they were still up 66 percent from a low hit one year ago.

Oil slips for 2nd day before U.S. inventories

Oil fell toward $81 a barrel on Wednesday in volatile trade as expectations for a gain in U.S. crude stockpiles offset surging Chinese imports.

AIG devises new formula for employee bonuses: report

American International Group Inc has formulated a new forced ranking system to determine bonuses and rate employee performance, Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Logorama duo take aim at Ghost Recon videogame

The directors behind the Oscar-winning animated short Logorama, are moving into the live-action world -- but they aren't going Hollywood just yet.

Economists trim 2011 U.S. growth forecast

U.S. economists raised their forecast for economic growth in 2010 in March, the third straight monthly rise, while trimming their growth forecast for 2011, according to a survey released on Wednesday.

Chinese group files complaint over faulty HP laptops

More than 100 Chinese consumers have filed an official complaint against Hewlett-Packard Co over faulty laptop computers, leaving the door open for a lawsuit against the U.S. technology company, a lawyer for the group said on Wednesday.

Oil edges up towards $82 on China import surge

Oil reversed earlier losses to gain a few cents toward $82 on Wednesday after China said imports jumped in February, boosting evidence that emerging Asian economies will lead global demand back into growth this year.

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