UNITED STATES

Crude rose on Monday for a fourth day as Venezuela's dispute with Exxon Mobil Corp. and comments from an Iranian OPEC official increased concern of a shortage of oil supplies in the United States.

Platinum surged over $2,100 an ounce for the first time, gaining more than 20 percent since late January after South Africa, the largest producing nation, continues to be hard hit by power cuts that forced mines to shut down operations. Gold remained steady.

An impending end to a format war over next-generation DVDs boosted shares in both victorious Sony, in the Blu-ray corner, and Toshiba, in the losing HD DVD camp, on Monday as consumers cheered an end to confusion over which discs will carry high-definition movies.

Barclays Capital, the investment banking arm of Britain's Barclays Plc, has named Mark Bamford as head of global syndicate to replace Geert Vinken, who is retiring.

Walt Disney Co has reached a deal to more than double its stake in Indian TV and movie content maker UTV, the two firms said, underscoring the U.S. entertainment firm's efforts to expand globally.

European shares rose on Monday as gains in British banks and oil stocks helped investors recover some of the sharp losses suffered in the last session.

The dollar recovered in trade thinned by a U.S. market holiday on Monday, as investors locked in profits following the currency's worst weekly performance of the year so far.

India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said India is in a position to sustain economic growth of 9 percent despite a possible global slowdown and promised to keep inflation under control

Asian stocks, which have been jittery this year at any ill omen from the U.S. market, are likely to take note on Monday of Wall Street's latest fall, while investors continue to keep an eye out for bargains.

Kosovo Albanians declared independence on Sunday, confidently awaiting Western recognition for their state despite the anger its secession provoked in Serbia and Russia's warnings of fresh Balkan unrest.

Kosovo's parliament voted unanimously to separate from Serbia on Sunday. Members of parliament voted 109-0 for the action. Kosovo will seek to be recognized as a European country after being under United Nations control since 1999 following a civil war with Serbia.

The U.K. government will nationalize Northern Rock Plc bank after a bid by Virgin Group Ltd. was rejected, Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said today. The government did not select either of two bids by a Virgin consortium and an in-house proposal.

Could a series of bleak economic reports signal recession?

Long walks just isn't going to cut it

Oil prices were mostly unchanged on Friday despite a report released today that of lower consumer confidence which triggered speculation that U.S. demand will fall.

The United States said that it will shoot down a dying U.S spy satellite earlier this week, and on Friday government officials promised to compensate other nations for any debris that lands in their territory.Whether the engagement succeeds or fails, the U.S. is prepared to offer assistance to governments to mitigate the consequences of any satellite debris impacts on their territory, Ambassador Christina Rocca told the Conference on Disarmament.The satellite is carrying more than 1,...

President George W. Bush set-off on Friday for a five-nation tour, touting American compassion for the poor on the continent.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has decided that it will exclusively sell second generation DVDs in the Blu-Ray format, dealing one in a series of blows to the rival HD DVD format.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc has decided to exclusively sell high-definition DVDs in the Blu-Ray format, dealing what could be a crippling blow to the rival HD DVD technology backed by Toshiba Corp.

Wall Street investment banks, stung by debt losses, have cut tens of thousands of jobs, but even more significant cuts are coming in the months ahead amid a bleaker earnings outlook.

Treasuries rose on Friday after a report on plummeting U.S. consumer sentiment and drops in New York manufacturing increased concerns about a U.S. recession.