IBT Staff Reporter

Boeing Co's 747-8 Intercontinental, the new passenger version of its legendary jumbo jet, completed its maiden flight without a hitch on Sunday, marking a key milestone for the aircraft model more closely associated with Boeing than any other plane.

Investors already bruised by the Japan disaster now confront military air strikes on Libya and the prospect of rising oil prices, making it likely they will postpone any bold investment decisions.

The global economic impact from Japan's earthquake and nuclear crisis may go beyond the modest GDP hit most number crunchers predict.

Facebook has agreed to buy Snaptu, an application developer for mobile devices that are less sophisticated than smartphones, as the world's largest Internet social network focuses on expanding its mobile services.

Investors already bruised by the Japan disaster now confront military air strikes on Libya and the prospect of rising oil prices, making it likely they will postpone any bold investment decisions.

Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from the two Brazilians - David Luiz and Ramires.

French Industry Minister Eric Besson said on Sunday he did not want to destabilize carmaker Renault when asked if chief executive Carlos Ghosn should step down over a now debunked espionage scandal.

U.S. companies with big sales in Japan like Aflac and Tiffany may see sales pinched in the wake of the country's massive earthquake, but the yen's recent sudden strength could offset those losses.

British, French and American jets conducted bombing and attack operations over Libya on Sunday to enforce a no-fly zone over the country meant to stop leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces from killing civilians as the Arab League criticized the assault, saying casualties among civilians had occurred nonetheless.

Oil prices may rise again on Monday as traders ratchet up the risk premium for crude after Western forces bombed Libya's air defenses in a United Nations-backed intervention against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Novak Djokovic set up a mouth-watering final at the Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open with World No. 1 Rafael Nadal after a three-set win over Roger Federer.

Saudi Arabia's economy is reasonably insulated from the regional turmoil and the central bank has seen no abnormal capital outflows, its governor Muhammad al-Jasser said on Sunday.

Champions Chelsea will host fellow big-spenders Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the English Premier League, with both teams looking to maintain their faint title hopes.

The Japanese government plans to inject public funds into banks in areas ravaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami to make sure that businesses in the area can get credit to rebuild their operations, The Nikkei newspaper said in its Sunday edition.

UN-sanctioned aerial and naval attacks on Libyan air defense and ground forces at the weekend are likely to see oil prices vault higher this week, overcoming demand-side jitters stemming from Japan's earthquake and Chinese monetary tightening.

Fabio Capello announced that Chelsea defender John Terry has been reinstated as permanent England captain.

The site has proved to be a huge success among students and already has 400 members.

Researchers are working on adapting a space technology to test liquids such as whisky and fine wines for authenticity – without opening the bottle.

General Motors Co has suspended all nonessential spending and global travel while the automaker assesses the impact of the crisis in Japan on the company, a GM spokesman said on Saturday.

Arsenal lost ground on leaders Manchester United after a horrendous mistake from Manuel Almunia led to a 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns after United had scored a late goal to earn a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Ten-man Manchester United snatched three crucial points at Old Trafford with a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League, which extended their lead at the top to five points after Arsenal drew West Brom 2-2.

A judge said the Tribune Co.. bankruptcy case was deadlocked after two weeks of testimony in a federal court, the Chicago Tribune newspaper reported on Saturday.

Julius Baer Chairman Raymond Baer called for Switzerland to resolve a banking-related tax row with the United States, in comments reported by Le Temps.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Warren M. Christopher has died, his law firm said on Saturday. His long career as a lawyer and diplomat included a leadership role in promoting peace in the Balkans. He was 85.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will meet in the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after easy wins in the quarter-finals, while Rafael Nadal will play Juan Martin Del Potro in the other clash.

The Dutch government said on Saturday it wanted to grant licenses for Internet gambling services in the Netherlands and lift restrictions that hundreds of thousands of Dutch ignore every year.

Forces backing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi attacked rebels in the city of Benghazi on Saturday as international leaders met in Paris to discuss how to implement a UN resolution calling for a Gaddafi cease fire and authorizing military action to protect Libyan civilians.

The following is United Nations Resolution 1973, as passed by the Security Council on March 17, 2011 by a vote of 10-0, with 5 abstentions.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that his side not be ashamed of themselves in the aftermath of losing out on three major competitions.