IBT Staff Reporter

European shares hit a six-week high on Thursday adding to solid gains after global manufacturing data eased fears about the growth outlook, but with Greek debt talks unresolved, gains were limited.

Asian shares rose on Thursday as encouraging manufacturing data soothed fears about the global economic fallout from the euro zone debt crisis, but the euro lost steam as the ongoing Greek debt talks reminded investors of the complexity of the problem.

Royal Dutch Shell said it was targeting aggressive growth in the coming years, with the startup of big new projects and higher investments in exploration set to drive a 50 percent rise in cashflow and a 25 percent rise in oil and gas production.

Italy's bonds have made sizzling returns this year but fears the country will lose its investment-grade status are putting off long-term investors whose support Rome needs to tackle a mountain of refinancing and ease worries about its debt.

Xstrata said on Thursday it had received an approach from Glencore International that could lead to an all share merger of equals.

Glencore International is nearing an agreement to combine with Xstrata in a deal that may value the combined entity at 52 billion pounds ($82.46 billion), Bloomberg reported on Thursday, sending Glencore shares sharply higher in Hong Kong.

China's securities regulator has for the first time published a full list of Chinese companies that have applied for an initial public offering on the Shanghai or Shenzhen markets, in a move aimed at boosting transparency of the system.

The stunning footage was captured by a camera on board one of NASA's twin Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) lunar spacecraft.

Japan's punch-drunk corporate sector looks to be out for the count, having been knocked off its feet by a strong yen just as it was staging a wobbly recovery from natural disaster.

Want a slice of the billions of dollars China spends each year on farm subsidies? Become a middleman and open a toll road.

JPMorgan Chase & Co surprised Wall Street by winning a leading role in Facebook's much anticipated public offering, besting other banks that have competed for months for the coveted position.

Federal authorities successfully kept a U.S. businessman in jail on Wednesday ahead of his trial on charges relating to trade secret theft, and argued that it was Chinese government representatives who directed him to obtain valuable technology manufactured by chemical giant DuPont.

The incoming chief of Japan's Sony Corp will confront the enormity of his task to turn around the business on Thursday, when the humbled electronics icon is expected to show it is headed for its fourth straight annual loss.

The incoming new chief of Japan's Sony Corp will confront the enormity of his task to turn around the business on Thursday, when the humbled electronics icon is expected to show it is headed for its fourth straight annual loss.

MV Rabaul Queen, which was travelling between Lae and Kimbe West, went missing after sending a distress signal

Wall Street's own watchdog filed a complaint against Charles Schwab Corp on Wednesday accusing the online brokerage of requiring customers to waive their rights to pursue class actions against the firm, a violation of industry rules.

Anti-virus software maker AVG Technologies NV priced its initial public offering at $16 per share, at the low end of the expected range, according to a market source.

Anti-virus software maker AVG Technologies NV priced its initial public offering at $16 per share, at the low end of the expected range, according to a market source.

With Desperate Housewives winding to a close, Marc Cherry is tackling another group of dramatic women for ABC in a new project.

SAG and AFTRA on Tuesday provided details of their proposed merger agreement -- including specifics on dues, membership requirements and strike provisions.

Japanese chipmaker Elpida Memory Inc is likely to post a net loss of 120 billion yen ($1.6 billion) for the year ending in March, public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday, as it struggles with a tough market and imminent debt repayments.

Football fans looking for a sneak peek at The Dark Knight Rises or The Amazing Spider-Man on Sunday are in for a disappointment.

Sorry, Snooki; you might be a hit with MTV viewers, but the city of Hoboken ain't having you.

Facebook unveiled what is expected to be Silicon Valley's largest ever initial public offering, but made it clear to outside investors that they will have little voice in its running, as founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg will continue to exercise almost complete control.

The favorite to win Mexico's presidential election this July said on Wednesday the country must favor local investors over foreign competitors in strategic sectors of the economy, including telecommunications.

Canadian Solar Inc is scrambling to ramp up production of solar panels to meet an unexpected surge in demand from Europe, Chief Executive Shawn Qu said on Tuesday.

Oscar ballots were mailed to 5,783 Academy Members on Wednesday morning, in an odd but endearing ritual that may never again take place at the Academy.

One of two reactors at the San Onofre nuclear power station in Southern California was shut down on Tuesday after a small leak was detected in a steam generator tube, but the incident posed no risk to the public or plant workers, the facility operator said.

Facebook filed on Wednesday to raise a targeted $5 billion in a hotly anticipated initial public offering, setting the stage for Silicon Valley's biggest-ever IPO. Here are some key facts about the company: