IBT Staff Reporter

Portugal and Greece talked up the benefits of Lisbon's decision to accept a multi-billion euro bailout from the European Union and IMF on Wednesday, but the outlook for both countries and Ireland remains highly uncertain.

Osama bin Laden had 500 euros in cash and two telephone numbers sewn into his clothing on Sunday when he was killed, leading intelligence officials to believe he was ready to flee, according to some members of Congress briefed on the matter, according to a report.

Euro zone retail sales fell sharply in March, data showed on Wednesday, indicating that rising food and energy prices were curbing household demand and that economic recovery was still mainly industry-driven.

U.S. stocks were little changed on Wednesday as investors weighed a fresh round of proposed acquisitions against a weaker-than-expected employment report.

Tens of billions of dollars of Chinese investment could flood into the United States in the next decade, creating a multitude of American jobs if officials do not succumb to a political backlash and throw up barriers, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Glencore International on Wednesday unveiled details of an initial public offering in which it will look to raise as much as $11 billion.

S&P index futures cut earlier losses to turn flat on Wednesday as acquisition activity helped to offset weaker-than-expected ADP employment data.

U.S. stocks opened little changed on Wednesday as investors weighed a fresh round of proposed acquisitions against a weaker-than-expected employment report.

The rich keep getting richer, both here in the United States and especially in the world's emerging markets.

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in New York against Facebook, charging that the use of children's images in advertising

China's roaring economy will slow a touch this year, with inflation staying stubbornly above the government's 4 percent target, arguing for monetary policy to tighten further, a Reuters poll showed.

Former President George W. Bush declined an invitation from the White House to visit Ground Zero in New York with President Barack Obama on Thursday four days after the announcement of the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Crude oil futures slipped again on Wednesday in volatile trade ahead of the release of weekly U.S. oil inventory data expecting to show an increase in crude stockpiles later in the day.

Kellogg Co reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday, hurt by higher costs for ingredients and brand investments.

A seemingly meaningless tie takes place at Old Trafford on Wednesday when Manchester United host Schalke 04 in the second leg of the Champions League semi final, while already holding a commanding 2-0 lead in aggregate.

A seemingly meaningless tie takes place at Old Trafford on Wednesday when Manchester United host Schalke 04 in the second leg of the Champions League semi final, while already holding a commanding 2-0 lead in aggregate.

U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Wednesday as investors awaited data on the services industry and labor market for insight into the health of the economic recovery.

The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in April to the lowest monthly amount for the year so far and were outpaced by a rise in plans to hire, a report on Wednesday showed.

BNP Paribas, France's biggest listed bank, beat first-quarter forecasts, driven by strong retail growth and resilient investment banking that bolstered investor confidence and set a high bar for rivals.

Top commodity trader Glencore sought a strong debut for this month's share offering, capping planned proceeds at $11 billion and placing 31 percent with key investors led by Abu Dhabi.

U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Wednesday as investors awaited data on the services industry and labor market for insight into the health of the economic recovery.

Portugal's main opposition party met European and IMF officials on Wednesday and said they would consider whether to back a 78-billion-euro bailout after a source said the terms would propel the economy into two years of recession.

Nielsen says by next year, for the first time in 20 years, fewer people are going to own TVs than they did in the previous year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev , the world's largest brewer, suffered a first drop in beer sales for a year and half as price hikes, rain in Brazil and high U.S. unemployment deterred drinkers.

BNP Paribas , France's biggest listed bank, beat forecasts for first-quarter revenue and earnings, driven by strong retail growth and resilient investment banking that bolstered investor confidence.

Conditions attached to a 78 billion euros bailout of Portugal's debt-ridden economy are likely to propel it into a deep recession for two years, an official source said on Wednesday.

Portugal reached a deal with the European Union and the IMF Tuesday on a 78 billion euro 3-year bailout, the third euro zone member to do so after Greece and Ireland, caretaker Prime Minister Jose Socrates said.

BNP Paribas, France's biggest listed bank, beat forecasts for first-quarter revenue and earnings, driven by strong retail growth and resilient investment banking.

Barcelona progressed to the final of the Champions League after a 1-1 draw (3-1 aggregate win) at the Nou Cam in the second leg of the semifinal against Real Madrid.