UNITED STATES

Economy jitters continued to sweep financial markets on Wednesday, weakening stocks, propelling the Japanese yen to a six-week high and dragging oil down to around $62 a barrel.

Alcoa Inc , whose results are traditionally viewed as an indicator of the country's economic health, is expected to post a third consecutive quarterly loss this week.

Alcoa Inc , whose results are traditionally viewed as an indicator of the country's economic health, is expected to post a third consecutive quarterly loss this week.

Leaders from the Group of Eight major industrial nations will warn against complacency over economic recovery on Wednesday at a world summit that will also tackle trade, climate change and food security.

Japan's Nikkei share average and oil prices hit six-week lows on Wednesday as investors pulled funds out of bets on the global economy's recovery and favored safe havens, such as the U.S. dollar and government bonds.

Oil fell toward $62 on Wednesday, on course for its sixth consecutive fall and longest losing streak since mid-December, after data showed larger-than-expected builds in U.S. products stocks, reflecting little sign of a recovery in oil demand.

Australian packaging group Amcor Ltd is nearing a purchase of some of Rio Tinto Ltd's assets, sources said, in a deal that could be valued at up to $2.4 billion.

Japan's Nikkei share average and oil prices hit six-week lows on Wednesday as investors pulled funds out of bets on the global economy's recovery and favored safe havens, such as the U.S. dollar and government bonds.

Ruth Madoff, the wife of imprisoned fraudster Bernard Madoff, will get her passport back, after U.S. District Judge Denny Chin Monday authorized U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services officials to return it, court documents showed.

The purported theft of a Goldman Sachs trading platform threatens to cost it millions of dollars, a prosecutor told a court, but so far the bank has not reported damage to its business.

Oil fell toward $62 on Wednesday, on course for its sixth consecutive fall and longest losing streak since mid-December, after data showed larger-than-expected builds in U.S. products stocks, reflecting little sign of a recovery in oil demand.

A U.S. judge dismissed some damages claims in a copyright infringement lawsuit against Google Inc and its video-sharing Web site YouTube.com but left open the possibility that non-U.S. based rights owners could seek damages for live broadcasts, if they prevail.

Artists and record labels reached an agreement on Tuesday with Internet radio companies over royalty rates, resolving a dispute that dates back more than two years over how to divvy up revenue from streaming music on the Web.

U.S. auto parts maker Lear Corp filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, a day after setting out plans to restructure its $3.6 billion debt burden under a proposed deal with creditors.

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the deadliest riots in Xinjiang region were caused by a large group of people motivated by the World Uighur Congress (WUC), which operates from Germany and the United States.

In a memorial to Michael Jackson on Tuesday that featured superstars Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder, the moment that may be best remembered came when his 11-year-old daughter Paris spoke a few heart-wrenching words.

U.S. regulators are gearing up campaigns to preserve their consumer protection roles as the Obama administration marshals efforts to create a new agency, but face the political risk of appearing to side with Wall Street at the expense of consumers.

Diana Ross said in a statement read at Michael Jackson's memorial service on Tuesday that she would be there for his children if they ever needed her.

The Australian Dollar opens lower on Wednesday at 0.7886. The local unit moved towards US80 cents late on Tuesday after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left rates on hold at 3.00 per cent in a decision that was more predictable than an NRL off-field incident.

Another Round of Stimulus?; Credit Debt Hits Hard; Rio team arrested in China

U.S. credit card delinquencies reach all-time high following soaring job loss numbers Consumers are increasingly failing to meet credit card payments as they battle high unemployment rates and a shrinking economy which has left many cash strapped. Delinquencies on the value of all card debt soared to a record 6.60 percent from 5.52 percent in the fourth quarter.