UNITED STATES

Asian stocks jumped to a one-month high on Tuesday, with banks extending gains on hopes the struggling global financial system is stabilizing, despite reports showing the U.S. economy is deteriorating further.

General Growth Properties Inc , the No. 2 U.S. mall owner, said on Monday some of its lenders had agreed give it more time to refinance its debts, pushing off yet again the threat of bankruptcy.

The Hearst Corp plans to roll out the final print edition of its ailing Seattle Post-Intelligencer on Tuesday then move it online, ending speculation about the fate of the 146-year-old newspaper as crumbling advertising and the Internet wallop the industry.

Asian stocks climbed on Tuesday, with banks extending gains on hopes the struggling global financial system is stabilizing, despite reports showing the U.S. economy is deteriorating further.

U.S. retail sales of Apple Inc's Mac computers fell 16 percent in February on a unit basis, even as low-cost netbooks helped Windows-based PCs sales rise 22 percent, research group NPD said on Monday.

Advisers to bondholders of General Motors Corp said on Monday they have presented a framework plan to President Barack Obama's autos task force and the ailing No. 1 U.S. automaker that provides the company's best chance for an out-of-court restructuring.

U.S. credit card defaults rose in February to their highest level in at least 20 years, with losses particularly severe at American Express Co and Citigroup amid a deepening recession.

UCBH Holdings, Inc said today it has recorded an additional loan loss about $40 million pre-tax, will allows the company’s fourth quarter net loss to $$82.9 million increase and 2008 full year net loss increase of $76.4 million from $50.1 million as previously reported.

U.S. retail sales of Apple Inc's Mac computers fell 16 percent in February on a unit basis, even as low-cost netbooks helped Windows-based PCs sales rise 22 percent, research group NPD said on Monday.

The U.S. Treasury is expected to propose within days the creation of a systemic risk regulator, probably the Federal Reserve, to oversee banking and market problems that could threaten the economy.

U.S. bank stocks, which had their best week on record last week, powered higher amid optimism they can soon return to profitability, only to give back their gains after American Express Co said more credit card customers are missing payments.

Sudan's president said on Monday he wanted foreign aid groups to stop distributing aid in Sudan within a year, in an escalation in the country's defiant response to an international war crimes warrant against him.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo will subpoena American International Group inc for information about employees whom he said were sent bonuses March 13.

The Hearst Corp plans to roll out the final print edition of its ailing Seattle Post-Intelligencer on Tuesday then move it online, ending speculation about the fate of the 146-year-old newspaper as crumbling advertising and the Internet wallop the industry.

JPMorgan Chase & Co must allow shareholders to vote on measures that would tie executive bonuses to the bank's long-term stock performance, U.S. regulators have ruled.

Stocks fell on Monday after American Express Co said the number of people struggling to make credit card payments grew, erasing earlier optimism that banks could return to profit in the downturn.

U.S. bank stocks, which had their best week on record last week, powered higher again on Monday amid optimism that banks are succeeding in efforts to restore profitability, and that a change to accounting rules might alleviate feared capital shortfalls.

Wells Fargo & Co's chairman lambasted the U.S. government for imposing new curbs on lenders that receive federal bailout money, and called the federal plan to subject big banks to stress tests asinine.

President Barack Obama is renewing pressure within his administration to find legal ways to block $165 million in bonus payments to American International Group employees after the government determined last week that the giant insurer was legally bound to give retention pay to workers.

President Barack Obama moved to boost U.S. job creation on Monday by making it easier for small business owners to borrow money and by spending up to $15 billion to ensure credit is available for small business loans.

Elvis Presley memorabilia including a performance jumpsuit and a grand piano he played at Graceland went on auction on Monday in a demonstration of his commercial appeal 31 years since the King left the building.