IBT Staff Reporter

South Africa is confident that a recently launched bidding process for renewable energy will lead to the addition of 3,725 megawatts (MW)of green energy to the national grid by 2016, despite previous delays, a senior government official said.

Moody's cut the credit ratings of two French banks on Wednesday because of their exposure to Greece's debt, highlighting growing risks to Europe's financial sector from a deepening euro zone sovereign debt crisis.

Political parties have called on Egypt's military rulers to ensure that figures associated with the government of ousted President Hosni Mubarak cannot run in parliamentary elections expected this year.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc will double the money it spends with women-owned businesses, train women around the world and push major suppliers to use more women and minorities on work they do for the retailer, its latest steps to promote a brighter corporate image.

Express Scripts Inc might lose a small fraction of its business from a dispute with drugstore chain Walgreen Co , its chief financial officer said on Wednesday, but it would not be a significant amount.

The head of the World Bank said Wednesday the world had entered a new economic danger zone and that Europe, Japan and the United States all need to make hard decisions to avoid dragging down the global economy.

Deutsche Boerse AG's acquisition of NYSE Euronext could be unfair because it would create a silo in which a single exchange would dominate all stages of the trading and clearing process, said the head of rival Nasdaq OMX Group.

President Barack Obama's jobs plan has raised concerns in top trading partner Canada because of measures that would restrict foreign companies from participating in infrastructure projects.

The head of the World Bank said Wednesday the world had entered a new economic danger zone and that Europe, Japan and the United States all need to make hard decisions to avoid dragging down the global economy.

The United States gave Libya's new rulers a very visible show of support on Wednesday when a senior envoy visited the capital and praised their efforts to assert control of armed groups three weeks after Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown.

PepsiCo Inc announced a shake-up of its beverages unit on Wednesday, appointing a new head to try to turn around the business, which has lagged behind Coca-Cola Co in North America.

Canada should see modest economic growth and avoid a double-dip recession, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said on Wednesday.

Former Patriot Tedy Bruschi tees off on current Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. Who is right?

Growth in U.S. retail sales stalled in August after a spending battle in Congress crushed consumer sentiment, leaving the economy perched uncomfortably close to recession.

In an attempt to beat Google+ Circles and stay on top of everything in the social network market, Facebook on Tuesday debuted Smart Lists - an improved friend lists with which users can customize their lists of friends, define privacy settings and filter the news feed.

Stocks rose in a zigzag session on Wednesday as gains in major tech shares helped offset worries whether euro zone leaders can make progress in easing the region's debt crisis.

A continued investigation into a listeriosis, or listeria, outbreak that has killed at least one person has expanded to include six states where possibly tainted cantaloupe were consumed, Colorado health officials said Wednesday.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday won a confidence vote on a much-altered austerity plan aimed at stemming a debt crisis that threatens to tear apart the euro zone.

Growth in U.S. retail sales stalled in August after a pitched battle over spending in Congress led consumer confidence to crumble, data showed on Wednesday.

BlackRock Inc Chief Executive Laurence Fink said beaten-down European equities and stocks that pay dividends are still a good bet during current tumultuous markets.

The head of the World Bank said the world had entered a new economic danger zone and that Europe, Japan and the United States all need to make hard decisions to avoid dragging down the global economy.

Moody's cut the credit ratings of two French banks on Wednesday because of their exposure to Greece's debt, highlighting growing risks to Europe's financial sector from a deepening euro zone sovereign debt crisis.

Stocks fell on Wednesday as optimism faded over comments about possible new euro zone bonds to help ease the region's debt crisis, and lackluster data on U.S. retail sales gave investors pause.

The demo of much expected FIFA 12 has arrived on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

NASA unveils the next generation launch system rockets, which will be designed to send astronauts into deep space.

On Wednesday, Facebook unveiled smart lists, an new, optional feature where lists are customizable, the same day the company's representatives met with D.C. lawmakers to address a privacy issue alarming a number of members of the U.S. Congress - children's online safety.

Chances the United States will lapse into another recession rose over the past month to nearly one in three as the economy faces a number of road blocks that could derail already weak growth, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday.

Stocks fell on Wednesday, with the Dow and S&P 500 extending losses and the Nasdaq turning negative after an Austrian parliamentary committee failed to approve the European Financial Stability Facility upgrade.

To tackle manmade climate change, scientists will investigate the feasibility of a geo-engineering project by building an artificial volcano, which will appear in the British county of Norfolk next month.