IBT Staff Reporter

Stocks ended down for a third straight day on Thursday as an unexpected rise in jobless claims and a sobering revenue outlook from Cisco underscored the hurdles to economic recovery.

There have been at least three Australian patients who have contracted the new bacterial gene which is highly resistant to antibiotics, says experts.

Chocolate prescription for health sounds wonderful, but scientists in Australia have found that patients usually favored boring pills over antioxidant-packed chocolate as a way to control their blood pressure.

General Motors Co Chief Executive Ed Whitacre resigned suddenly on Thursday as the automaker posted its biggest quarterly profit in six years and readied an IPO expected to allow the U.S. government to relinquish its majority stake.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week to the highest level in close to six months, the latest evidence the economy's recovery is faltering.

The liquid alternative to cremation and burial is offered by the world's first water cremation centre on the Gold Coast, utilizing a process that is natural, ethical and environmentally friendly.

BP Plc will pay a record $50.6 million fine for lingering safety problems from a deadly 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers at its Texas City, Texas, refinery, the U.S. government said on Thursday.

Purple carrots are now propositioned as the next superfood, based on the recent Australian study.

A new contraceptive pill for boosting female's libido is going through scientific tests across Australia.

An Obama administration summit of housing industry leaders next week may yield clues on the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , the two mortgage heavyweights that so far have sucked up close to $150 billion in taxpayer bailout funds.

General Motors Co may delay its filing for an initial public offering to early next week from the initial target date of Friday after the unexpected departure of Chief Executive Ed Whitacre

The Rural Doctors' Association of Queensland (RDAQ) said the country's rural health system needs a boost to the tune of $1 billion additional budget per year and 2,000 additional doctors.

Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday it had suspended auto exports to Iran indefinitely since June, amid growing international scrutiny of companies dealing with the country.

Bankrupt U.S. auto parts supplier Visteon Corp is in talks with at least three bank groups on exit financing worth about $700 million

South African autoworkers seeking wage increases more than triple the inflation rate went on an indefinite strike on Wednesday, slamming the brakes on auto production in Africa's largest economy.

BP Plc has agreed to pay a record $50.6 million fine for safety violations from a deadly 2005 explosion at its troubled Texas City, Texas refinery, U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said Thursday.

Cisco Systems Inc CEO John Chambers' comments on the economy sent jitters through financial markets on Thursday, stoking fears that a recovery in technology spending could be waning.

Wall Street bonuses likely will rise this year, despite the regulatory cloud hanging over compensation, as the financial sector recovers from recession faster than the broader U.S. economy, according to a published report.

Kohl's Corp gave a profit forecast that missed Wall Street expectations, citing the cost of adapting to new consumer credit card laws, and expects slower sales growth.

The management of the Playmates Cottage Child Care Centre in Dubbo is considering relocating the facility in response to the plan of the Greater Western Area Health Service to raise its rent.

Stocks fell for a third straight day on Thursday as a discouraging report on jobless claims underlined the lack of progress in turning around the anemic labor market.

The commercial hub of Clarence River Valley will have its new GP super clinic next year as the company that will build and run the facility will proceed with the project no matter which party wins the August 21 elections.

General Motors Chief Executive Ed Whitacre announced on Thursday that he would step down as CEO effective September 1 and would be replaced by Dan Akerson, a GM board member.

Stocks fell on Thursday as weekly jobless claims unexpectedly rose and a sobering forecast from Cisco Systems fed worries about the economy's health.

Immigrants in New York City have a lower unemployment rate and participate in the labor force at a higher rate than native-born Americans, a divergence from the national trends that may reflect optimism about the recovery.

General Motors Co posted its biggest quarterly profit in six years on Thursday and CEO Ed Whitacre stepped aside on the cusp of an IPO expected to allow the U.S. government to relinquish its majority stake.

Barnes & Noble Inc is in talks to end a battle with one of its top investors, a source with knowledge of the discussions said, as the bookseller tries to attract buyers for its business.

Stocks declined on Thursday as an unexpected rise in weekly jobless claims and a disappointing forecast from Cisco Systems fueled worries about the economic recovery.

The housing market should skirt another major downturn, even though stubbornly high unemployment and foreclosures will curb demand and keep home prices mostly flat through 2011, a Reuters poll showed.