IBT Staff Reporter

Rio Tinto said the British leg of its $15.2 billion rights issue had been successfully completed, putting the world's top iron ore miner back in growth mode after slashing its debt.

Magna expects to resolve the last few issues holding up its takeover of German carmaker Opel from former parent General Motors by Tuesday, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Swelling gasoline stocks and a far-bigger-than-expected rise in U.S. unemployment drove oil markets down more than $2 Thursday to below $67 a barrel.

Amnesty International said on Thursday Israel inflicted wanton destruction in the Gaza Strip in attacks that often targeted Palestinian civilians during an offensive in December and January in the Hamas-run enclave.

Exelon Corp raised its hostile takeover bid for independent power producer NRG Energy Inc by more than 12 percent to $7.45 billion on Thursday but failed to excite investors.

Iranian hardliners pressed on Thursday for legal action against moderate leaders accused of inciting post-election turmoil that has dimmed Western hopes of engaging Tehran on its disputed nuclear program.

North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles on Thursday, further stoking tension in the region that was already high due to Pyongyang's nuclear test and threats to boost its nuclear arsenal in response to UN sanctions.

Thousands of U.S. Marines stormed deep into Taliban territory in an Afghan river valley on Thursday, launching the biggest military offensive of Barack Obama's presidency.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday Washington and Moscow must set aside the power politics of the past and use a forthcoming summit to unite in tackling global economic and political problems.

The alleged sole survivor of the Yemenia plane crash that plunged into the Indian ocean on Monday night has returned home to her family in Paris.

China's state-run carmaker Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co is preparing to make an offer for General Motors' Opel unit in the coming days, a source told Reuters, but the Russian partner of bid frontrunner Magna said the race was all but over.

Exelon Corp raised its hostile takeover bid for independent power producer NRG Energy Inc by more than 12 percent to $7.45 billion on Thursday, but failed to excite investors.

GMAC said on Wednesday that it has converted to a corporation from a limited liability company, a move that could allow the auto and mortgage lender to sell shares to the public.

The Chinese government has hired three banks to handle the public listing of a railway holding company, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday, in an IPO that could be worth around $5 billion.

Validus Holdings Ltd. reiterated its unsolicited offer for reinsurer IPC Re on Thursday, one day after Flagstone Reinsurance Limited made a higher competing bid.

Securities firm International Assets Holding Corp agreed to buy commodity risk management firm FCStone Group Inc in an all-stock deal valued at about $130 million, as it looks to expand presence in the commodities market.

Onex Corp said on Thursday it acquired a majority stake in the Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino after the property emerged from bankruptcy protection.

Stocks fell sharply on Thursday after payrolls data showed more Americans than expected lost their jobs in June, dimming hopes of a quick economic recovery.

Alcatel-Lucent still expects the global telecoms equipment market to fall 8-12 percent in 2009 at constant currency exchange rates, the chief executive of Alcatel-Lucent France said on Thursday.

Some of Europe's cash-strapped biotech companies may just be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

India's Tata Steel, the world's sixth-largest steel maker, plans to sell global depositary receipts worth about $600 million, two sources with direct knowledge of the deal said on Thursday.

China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), the country's largest oil company, plans to revive a $17 billion bid for the Argentinian unit of Spanish oil major Repsol-YPF, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday, citing sources.

The Air France 447 jet that plunged into the Atlantic on May 31 did not break apart in the air according to French investigations.

Online advertisers are proposing a mix of consumer education, disclosures about what information is being collected and special protections for children and sensitive information in an effort to head off tough legislation.

Exelon Corporation increased 12 percent its offer to acquire NRG Energy Inc. on Thursday to $7.45 billion saying it continues to pursue NRG because of the long-term value that can be created by industry consolidation.

U.S. employers cut 467,000 jobs in June, far more than expected, while the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent, the government said on Thursday in a report that showed a labor market continuing to struggle with a deep recession.

British telecoms and retail group Carphone Warehouse will offer contracts from Vodafone from next week in its 820 stores, ending a three-year dispute, Vodafone said on Thursday, confirming media reports.

The European Central Bank left its main refinancing interest rate unchanged at a record low of 1.0 percent on Thursday, as expected by analysts.

U.S. employers cut 467,000 jobs in June, far more than expected, while the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent, the government said on Thursday in a report that showed a labor market continuing to struggle with a deep recession.