IBT Staff Reporter

Top diplomats from India and Pakistan have begun talks to reduce tensions between the two states in a meeting on the fringes of a gathering in Egypt, sources close to the talks said.

A dramatic warming of the planet 55 million years ago cannot be solely explained by a surge in carbon dioxide levels, a study shows, highlighting gaps in scientists' understanding of impacts from rapid climate change.

Chaos deepened on Wednesday in Japan's ruling party ahead of an expected August 30 election, as lawmakers fearing a crushing defeat persisted with efforts to ditch unpopular Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Production of biodiesel in the European Union rose by more than 35 percent in 2008 and capacity will grow again this year although half the plants are idle due to poor demand, the EU producers group said on Wednesday.

U.S. crude futures rose on Wednesday on industry inventory data showing crude supplies fell last week along with gasoline stocks and as positive earnings results fueled a global equities rally.

A Tupolev aircraft crashed in Iran on Wednesday on its way to Armenia killing all 168 people on board and one senior Iranian official said the plane had caught fire in the air after suffering technical problems.

China and the United States, the world's two largest emitters of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, launched a joint research effort Wednesday to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles and buildings.

A U.S. judge refused on Tuesday to dismiss an insider-trading charge against former Bear Stearns hedge fund manager Ralph Cioffi, court documents showed.

The pre-emptive attack on the rating agencies has begun. As Zero Hedge has long suspected, once the next major leg down in the market occurs,populist anger will again have to be directed away from its true focal point- the intersection of Wall Street and DC.

(Corrects company name to Glu Mobile from Gameloft in paragraph 16)

Stocks rose more than 1 percent at the open on Wednesday as Intel Corp's solid quarterly results and outlook reinforced hopes for an economic recovery and a rebound in technology spending.

U.S. industrial output declined at a slower pace in June and a key regional U.S. factory survey posted its strongest reading in a year this month, suggesting the recession was loosening its grip.

U.S. stocks headed for a sharply higher open on Wednesday as Intel Corp's solid quarterly results and outlook reinforced hopes for an economic recovery and a rebound in technology spending.

Prices up more than expected in June, U.S. inventories weekly report, U.S. Officials visit China to highlight clean energy

In a bid to bring art to the digital age, Christie's is rolling out a new application to bring Impressionists to the iPhone.

Comcast Corp has signed up CBS Corp along with 17 more cable networks to participate in the cable company's trial to make more television shows available to its subscribers on the Web.

U.S. consumer prices rose at a slightly faster-than-expected 0.7 percent pace in June, but the bulk of the increase was due to soaring gasoline prices and the core measure of inflation remained relatively tame, government data on Wednesday showed.

U.S. consumer prices rose at a slightly faster-than-expected 0.7 percent pace in June, but the bulk of the increase was due to soaring gasoline prices and the core measure of inflation remained relatively tame, government data on Wednesday showed.

The U.S. Energy Department will release its weekly petroleum supply report at 10:30 a.m. EST. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke arrive to China to stay through July 17 to highlight the potential for mutually beneficial relationships in the clean energy sector. The 20th World Oil Forum 2009 ends in London, UK .

Stock futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday as Intel Corp's solid results and upbeat outlook reinforced hopes for an economic recovery and a rebound in technology spending.

Higher costs for oil and gasoline likely pushed U.S. consumer prices up in June by the most for any single month since oil prices peaked last summer, according to a poll of economists.

China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday played down reports that it is at odds with the economic planning agency over a controversial deal for a little-known Chinese company to buy GM's Hummer unit.

Stock futures rose on Wednesday as Intel Corp's solid results and upbeat outlook reinforced hopes for an economic recovery and a rebound in technology spending.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher opening for Wall Street on Wednesday, as investor confidence was boosted by results and an upbeat outlook statement from chipmaker Intel .

British luxury goods group Burberry met forecasts with a 4 percent fall in first-quarter underlying revenues and said on Wednesday it was taking market share in a tough trading environment.

China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday played down reports that it is at odds with the economic planning agency over a controversial deal for a little-known Chinese company to buy GM's Hummer unit.

British luxury goods group Burberry met forecasts with a 4 percent fall in first-quarter underlying revenues and said on Wednesday trading conditions remained challenging.

Global stocks rose to their highest level in nearly two weeks on Wednesday as blockbuster results from major firms such as tech bellwether Intel Corp underpinned appetite for riskier assets.

Calpers, the biggest U.S. public pension fund, has filed a suit in a California state court in connection with $1 billion in losses that it says were caused by inaccurate credit ratings from the three leading ratings agencies, The New York Times reported.