IBT Staff Reporter

World food prices hit a record in January and recent catastrophic weather around the globe could put yet more pressure on the cost of food, an issue that has already helped spark protests across the Middle East.

Workers union sues Bank of America and its Countrywide unit for not disclosing mortgage crisis sooner

Spot gold was bid at $1,328.05 an ounce at 1300 GMT, against $1,336.00 late in New York on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures for April delivery fell $3.90 to $1,328.20. Concerns over the fallout from unrest in Egypt, where six people were killed after supporters of president Hosni Mubarak opened fire on protestors overnight, have underpinned prices, but have not sparked fresh investment, analysts said.

U.S. stocks opened slightly lower on Thursday as investors weighed hints of an improving economy against increasing disorder in Egypt and signs pointing to an end to the recent rally.

The movie has been in the making since 2008 with the director in place , the cast is growing

Barcelona and Real Madrid progressed through the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday to set up an 'El Classico' final.

National Association of Software & Services Companies (Nasscom), the apex body of India’s information technology and business process outsourcing sectors (IT-BPO), on Wednesday said India’s share in the global outsourcing market rose to 55 percent in 2010 from 51 percent in 2009.

Bond rating company Moody's Corp posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit and gave a favorable outlook for 2011 as its ratings business benefited from the uptick in debt issuance.

More companies are hopping on the NFC contact-less bandwagon.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it will develop a first-ever national standard for perchlorate, a naturally occurring and man-made chemical found in rocket propellant, fireworks, explosives and in some drinking water systems.

The European Central Bank kept interest rates at 1 percent as forecast on Thursday, ahead of its policy statement where it is expected to repeat its recent inflation warning but signal that a rate rise is not imminent.

MasterCard Inc's fourth-quarter profit soared 41 percent, beating expectations, as consumers around the world spent more money using credit and debit cards.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc , operator of the W and Sheraton hotels, posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by increased revenue per available room in North America and Asia Pacific.

Strong demand from emerging markets and from smartphone users helped cellphone operators Vodafone and TeliaSonera lift sales last year and give cause for confident outlooks for 2011.

U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Thursday as investors weighed the prospects of some solid U.S. economic data against increasing discord in Egypt and worries that a rally that may be losing steam.

European institutions received 85,262 score reports from people who took the GMAT® exam in testing year 2010 (July 2009-June 2010); we look at the top 5 countries in Europe that are attracting MBA aspirants from around the world.

The Egyptian army has moved to divide pro and anti government protesters on Thursday, amid reports that demonstrators from both sides were heading back to Tahrir square in Cairo, the site of Wednesday clashes which left at least 5 dead.

Norway MP, Snorre Valen nominates Julian Assange's whistleblower website WikiLeaks for Noble Prize and hails it for contribution to Tunisian Revolution and the following Arab protests.

Victoria's Secret parent Limited Brands Inc and warehouse club operator Costco Wholesale Corp were some of the bright spots among retailers that reported January sales on Thursday.

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Thursday as investors weighed the prospects of some solid U.S. economic data against increasing discord in Egypt and worries that a rally that may be losing steam.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's does not have any plans to downgrade the U.S. sovereign debt rating, but it believes credit risk may increase in the long term, a senior official at the agency said on Thursday.

A NASA team has found multiple planets in a distant solar system - dubbed Kepler-11 - transiting a sun-like star located about 2,000 light years away from Earth.

Deutsche Bank rejoined on Thursday the uphill battle to convince analysts it can reach its ambitious 2011 targets, even after packing a raft of restructuring charges into its 2010 figures.

ThinkEquity has outlined its top healthcare stock picks for 2011. The stocks include: BioScrip, Express Scripts, MedAssets, Omnicell and SXC Health Solutions.

Shell disappointed investors on Thursday with below-forecast fourth-quarter profit, with concerns over its refining business overshadowing a sharp rise driven by higher oil prices.

Deutsche Bank said it remained confident it would meet 2011 targets after packing a raft of restructuring charges into fourth-quarter earnings.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc reported a near five-fold rise in net profits on Thursday, driven by higher oil prices but still fell short of market expectations.

The European Central Bank is expected to send a strong signal on Thursday that it is ready to tackle building euro zone inflation pressures but refrain from indicating interest rate increases are imminent.

Jack and Meg White of 'The White Stripes' announced on Wednesday that the journey of the band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.