IBT Staff Reporter

The Obama administration is mulling a new agency to better protect consumers from practices like those that led to the current financial crisis, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday.

U.K. retail sales in April bounced higher than expected, showing signs that the recession is easing.

SAP will soon introduce a mobile version of its Business ByDesign Web-based software suite, a senior executive said on Thursday.

U.S. stocks slid on Thursday as signs of further job market weakness and a disappointing Fed regional survey added to doubts that the economy was set for quick recovery.

General Motors Corp and the United Auto Workers have reached an agreement on contract changes and restructuring $20 billion in debt owed to a trust fund for retiree healthcare, the union said on Thursday.

Dell Inc , plans to aggressively pursue corporate customers in an effort to win back market share in the United States, even as enterprise technology spending remains uncertain.

Opera Software ASA chief executive Jon von Tetzchner hopes the Norwegian firm, known for its mobile browser, will stay independent despite major industry players increasing focus on the sector.

The co-chief executives of BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd said on Thursday they would donate about C$290 million ($253 million) of RIM shares owned by them to two charitable foundations.

Barnes & Noble Inc reported a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss and raised its full-year outlook on Thursday, boosted by cost-cutting and sales that fell less than planned in a weak book retail market.

Barnes & Noble Inc reported a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss and raised its full-year outlook on Thursday, boosted by cost-cutting and sales that fell less than planned in a weak book retail market.

Stocks slid on Thursday as signs of further jobs weakness and a disappointing Fed regional survey fueled doubts about prospects for a quick economic recovery.

U.S. emissions of the main greenhouse gas -- carbon dioxide -- from energy sources, such as gasoline, diesel and coal, fell a record 2.8 percent last year as the recession hit consumer demand for fuel, the government said on Wednesday.

Victims of sexual abuse and neglect in Catholic-run schools and orphanages in Ireland swamped counselling services on Thursday after the publication of the harrowing findings of a nine-year investigation.

London-listed solar wafer manufacturer ReneSola lowered its full-year expectations and reported a 13 percent fall in first-quarter net revenues, sending its shares down over 16 percent.

GameStop Corp said on Thursday its same-store sales dropped more than expected in the last quarter and it lowered its full-year same-store sales forecast.

New York's mayor and police chief sought to calm Jewish worshipers on Thursday, the morning after authorities said they foiled a plot to blow up two synagogues and simultaneously shoot down military planes.

The Philippines is due to sign rules on Monday to implement a law encouraging investments in renewable energy, a move expected to cut the country's reliance on imported fuel, a senior official said on Thursday.

British-based carbon offset project developer EcoSecurities posted a rise in its cash balance on Thursday, helped by healthy carbon offset delivery volumes.

Fiat SpA's chief executive sees his company in pole position to win in the race for Opel but a German magazine said parent company General Motors favored other bidders over the Italian carmaker.

Google Inc. considered buying a newspaper but decided against it, CEO Eric Schmidt told the Financial Times.

President Barack Obama sought on Thursday to quell a domestic backlash against his efforts to close the internationally condemned U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay and roll back some of the most divisive Bush-era anti-terrorism policies.

A report by a leading proxy advisory firm that sided with activist hedge-fund manager William Ackman in his attempt to win seats on Target Corp's board contains statements that are inaccurate or misleading, the discount retail said.

The Obama administration is mulling a new agency to better protect consumers from practices like those that led to the current financial crisis, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday.

U.S. stocks slid on Thursday as signs of further jobs weakness and a disappointing Fed regional survey fueled doubts about prospects for a quick economic recovery.

Xerox Corp on Thursday named Ursula Burns as its chief executive, replacing Anne Mulcahy, who has been credited with revitalizing the document management company.

Freddie Mac investors have filed expanded court claims accusing the mortgage finance company and three former executives of committing fraud by misleading them about risky loan practices and manipulating financial results.

U.S. mortgage applications rose last week, reflecting an increase in demand for home refinancing loans as interest rates trekked lower, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.

Whitney Tilson, the outspoken founder of hedge fund T2 Partners LLC, is girding for a deeper mortgage market meltdown after being singed in his first foray into the credit crisis' most toxic of securities -- subprime bonds.

Stocks tumbled on Thursday, pushing the benchmark S&P 500 down 2 percent, as signs of more job market weakness and an anemic Fed regional survey fueled fears that the economic recovery might not happen quick enough.