UNITED STATES

Citigroup Inc., the largest U.S. bank, said on Friday that strong international growth fueled a higher-than-expected 18 percent increase in quarterly profit. Revenue rose faster than expenses for a second consecutive quarter, as Chief Executive Charles Prince continued to emphasize controlling costs.

Chrysler Group and the United Auto Workers union on Friday mark the formal start of a summer of crucial contract negotiations under intense pressure to break the model of business as usual for Detroit.

Sprint Nextel is partnering with Clearwire, a broadband technology company, to build a nationwide WiMax network for cell phones, aiming to take the United States into to 4th generation (4G) wireless technology.

European stocks reversed course after China raised interest rates and corporate earnings disappointed on Friday, while the cost of insuring risky European debt rose on fears for the health of the U.S. credit market.

The world's richest corporations and finest minds spend billions trying to solve the problem of carbon emissions, but three fishing buddies in North Wales believe they have cracked it.

Six-party talks to end North Korea's nuclear arms ambitions enter a third day on Friday after envoys settled on a set of tasks the United States said could be carried out this year, rather than a disarmament timetable.

China has cancelled the business licenses of two firms that exported wheat protein tainted with toxic chemicals that wound up in pet food in the United States, a senior quality control official said on Friday.

The United States and India remain divided over a controversial nuclear cooperation agreement despite three days of talks to finally close the deal, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

The New York Times published reviews before the book went on sale, drawing a stinging response from author J.K. Rowling.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Thursday that subprime mortgage losses could hit $100 billion and threaten consumer spending, but he sought to reassure lawmakers that the central bank was working quickly to strengthen lending regulations.

Tata Motors, which is reportedly looking to enter into a tie-up with Italian sports automaker Ferrari for marketing and servicing Ferrari cars in India, is also evaluating a bid to buy luxury British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover from struggling US automaker Ford, according to a report.

Viacom Inc. Vice Chairman Shari Redstone may leave the board over a falling out with her father, Chairman Sumner Redstone, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Nokia launched a service on Thursday which it said would cut the time a GPS-enabled cellphone takes to pinpoint its whereabouts, opening new opportunities for location-based online services.

Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc. said on Thursday quarterly earnings rose 19 percent boosted by foreign markets although shares fell due to a greater-than-expected decline in U.S. sales.

Diversified manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. said on Thursday quarterly net profit rose 17 percent, boosted by strong demand from the aerospace and construction industries.

Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp. said on Thursday they plan to jointly construct a nationwide mobile broadband network in the United States using WiMAX technology, designed to run more than five times faster than current wireless networks at a lower cost.

Bank of America Corp. Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis pledged on Thursday to complete the $21 billion acquisition of all of LaSalle Bank from ABN AMRO Holding NV early in the fourth quarter.

Scrutiny of banking transactions after 9/11 has led European and Canadian banks to cut back on dealings with Cuba.

Oil resumed its march towards record highs on Thursday, climbing above $77 a barrel after a surprise drop in gasoline stocks in the United States and heightened supply concerns in Africa.

Sony said Wednesday that its latest 'ultra-portable' notebook computer - the Vaio TZ - will be available at select retailers in August.

Baxter International Inc. on Thursday reported higher second-quarter net profits, driven by improved demand for its blood therapy products that contributed to a 7 percent increase in overall sales.