IBT Staff Reporter

Starbucks Corp on Monday said it is helping create a nationwide fund to help individuals and small businesses borrow money at low cost in a bid to spur U.S. job creation.

Stock index futures were modestly lower on Monday as concerns over Greece's teetering finances returned to the forefront and after equities ended their worst quarter since 2008.

The Chinese city of Wenzhou, an entrepreneurial city in the eastern province of Zhejiang, has set a legal threshold for interest rates on private loans, taking its first step to regulate the rampant underground loan market.

Hong Kong's securities regulator has fined Citigroup HK$6 million ($770,000) for failing to report a Ponzi scheme involving one of its former employees.

Stock index futures were modestly lower on Monday, extending equities losses from the previous session as concerns over Greece's teetering finances returned to the forefront.

Growth in its consulting business helped PwC increase revenue 10 percent in fiscal 2011, allowing it to regain its position as the world's largest accounting and consulting firm.

Factory activity in Europe and Asia slumped in September to levels not seen since the depths of the financial crisis as export demand dropped, surveys showed on Monday, reinforcing fears of a return to recession.

A grand slam clash in Italy went in Juventus' favour after two late goals saw them defeat AC Milan 2-0 and grab the lead in the Serie A.

Barcelona took the lead in the The Spanish Primera Division although they are partnered by surprise leaders Levante at the head of the table.

Radio and advertising company Clear Channel Media Holdings said on Sunday it had promoted Bob Pittman to the position of chief executive officer.

Greece's admission that it will miss its deficit targets this year and next despite harsh new austerity measures sent stock markets reeling on Monday and raised new doubts over a planned second international bailout.

Chelsea's brilliant performance paired with Bolton's abysmal one saw the visitors thrash the hosts 5-1 at the Reebok Stadium, with Frank Lampard bagging a hat-trick for the Londoners.

Broker-dealers are taking very different approaches to a new rule that requires them to scrutinize customers' credit positions and block reckless orders before trades are executed, setting off finger-pointing and new challenges for regulators.

September factory activity in some of Asia's biggest economies slumped to levels last seen during the depths of the financial crisis as export demand dropped, reinforcing fears that fading U.S. and European growth will spare no one.

Tottenham claimed the bragging rights with a 2-1 victory over derby-rivals Arsenal after 21-year-old Kyle Walker scored a screamer 17 minutes from time on Sunday.

Stock index futures pointed to a weaker open on Wall Street on Monday after steep declines in the previous session, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones and for the Nasdaq 100 down 0.6-0.9 percent.

September factory activity in some of Asia's biggest economies slumped to levels last seen during the depths of the financial crisis as export demand dropped, reinforcing fears that fading U.S. and European growth will spare no one.

Stock index futures pointed to a weaker open on Wall Street on Monday after steep declines in the previous session, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones and for the Nasdaq 100 down 0.6-0.9 percent.

World stocks kicked off the final quarter of the year sharply lower on Monday while the yen and government bonds rose as concerns grew that a broader Greek debt default may be in the works after figures showed Athens would miss a deficit target.

Gunmen shot and hacked to death 18 people in a village in northwest Nigeria on Sunday, police said.

Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak did not order the army to fire at protesters during the uprising that toppled him, the country's top general was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Gold strengthened further on Monday as falling equities and lingering worries about a debt crisis in Europe drew investors to the precious metal, which posted its the biggest quarterly gain this year, but a firm U.S. dollar could still cap gains.

Ali Ramadan's family were on the move for 10 days, dodging artillery fire and sleeping in the open, before they were finally able to get out of the besieged Libyan city of Sirte.

European Central Bank member Christian Noyer said on Monday it is unrealistic to expect an increase in Europe's bailout fund beyond what was agreed in July, but that he is open to schemes that would allow leveraging to expand capacity.

European Central Bank member Christian Noyer said on Monday it is unrealistic to expect an increase in Europe's bailout fund beyond what was agreed in July, but that he is open to schemes that would allow leveraging to expand capacity.

Anti-Wall Street protesters vowed to keep up their fight on Sunday despite the arrests of more than 700 people the previous day for blocking traffic lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge in an unauthorized protest.

The national board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) has given negotiators for the labor group's sound recording contract authorization to strike, the organization announced Saturday.

Second-round bids for the streaming start-up Hulu are due this week, but a sale looks less and less likely as the owners debate demands for conditions around the bids, according to individuals knowledgeable about the auction.

A plunge in Indonesia's cocoa exports spotlights a flagging battle against disease and adverse weather, but the country's supply disruptions could allay fears of another global surplus and stem a seven-month slide in prices.