UNITED STATES

Nouriel Roubini, one of the few economists who accurately predicted the magnitude of the financial crisis, said on Thursday that a double-dip recession can be avoided if stimulus measures are unwound properly.

European shares edged up to a three-week closing high on Thursday with telecom shares leading the advance after soothing earnings results and airlines gaining ground on merger news.

The following are planned mergers under review by the European Commission and a brief guide to the EU merger process:

The U.S. dollar rallied broadly in technical trading after a weekly jobless report triggered strength in the U.S. currency and momentum pushed it further through key levels. While the dollar's early gains came against the yen after a report showed initial weekly jobless benefit claims lower than expected, dollar strength spilled over against the euro.

U.S. mall owner Developers Diversified Realty Corp (DDR.N) may sell most of its planned $400 million commercial mortgage bond at yields well below existing issues, according to Thomson IFR on Thursday.

Apple Inc said on Thursday it plans to open 40 to 50 retail stores next year as the consumer electronics giant expands its reach to customers.

The Obama administration's pay czar said on Thursday his compensation rulings will allow General Motors Co and Chrysler Group to retain talent but is willing to consider lateral offers to hire new executives.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday, but forecast earnings during the key holiday quarter that could miss Wall Street estimates as its customers face rising unemployment.

The U.S. economy has improved, but a number of risks to growth remain and there is no near-term inflation threat, a top Fed official said on Thursday.

The U.S. economy has improved, but a number of risks to growth remain and there is no near-term inflation threat, a top Fed official said on Thursday.

The Obama administration's pay czar said on Thursday he is concerned that pay cuts he ordered at bailed out companies could hamper their ability to retain talent and would consider offers to hire new executives at competitive industry rates.

Intel Corp will pay rival chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices Inc $1.25 billion to settle all outstanding legal disputes, in a move that could weaken antitrust authorities' cases against Intel.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner offered fresh reassurances to Asian nations that the Obama administration was committed to a strong dollar and to actions aimed at bolstering its value.

Pakistani police have arrested seven suspected militants planning to attack security agency offices and officials in the commercial hub of Karachi, police said on Thursday.

Apple is expanding its retail business in New York by opening up a new store in the city's Upper West side this Saturday, Nov. 14.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday he would host a December conference to brainstorm how to beat back double-digit unemployment, and repeated a pledge to fight for U.S. exports as he toured Asia next week.

British cattle genetics company Genus warned on Thursday that first half profit would be below last year, sending shares to a two-month low.

The U.S. economy is in much better shape but risks remain, although there is no near-term inflation threat, a top Federal Reserve official said on Thursday.

President Barack Obama left for Asia on Thursday with the U.S. economy, jobs and a yawning trade deficit with China looming large on his agenda.

Diversified U.S. manufacturer United Technologies Corp said it will buy General Electric's security business for $1.82 billion in a move to expand the presence of the world's top maker of elevators and air conditioners in a fast-growing North American sector.

After more than an hour talking about how awful business has been of late, Pete Van Straten, 52, jerks a thumb at the telephone sitting on the desk behind his younger brother, George.