IBT Staff Reporter

Oracle Corp, the world's No. 2 business software maker, plans to expand its small line of programs that companies access via the Web, said a person familiar with the strategy.

Mexico's state owned oil and gas company Pemex maintains operations on its production, distribution, storage, offshore terminals and export facilities despite a federal government call to suspend all non essential economic activities to avoid the propagation of the swine flu virus.

Electric car owners will be able to charge their vehicles for less and reduce stress on the electrical grid using a new device developed by a government laboratory which can set charging times to use electricity when rates are cheaper and usage is lower.

Delta Air Lines Inc's chief executive had total compensation of about $5.9 million last year, up about 77 percent from the year before, boosted by values for stock and option awards, the company said in its proxy filing on Thursday.

Freddie Mac, the U.S. mortgage finance giant, on Thursday said it paid $1.3 million in retention bonuses to three executives in late 2008 and so far this year, including a full payout of the award promised to its acting chief financial officer before his shocking death, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Bank of America Corp's board is not planning to remove Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis after he was ousted as chairman under shareholder pressure, the Wall Street Journal reported on its website on Thursday.

The World Bank reached an agreement Thursday to provide a $400 million additional loan for India’s Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to improve access to finance Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

UBS AG asked a U.S. court on Thursday not to proceed with a high-profile tax evasion case brought against it by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, saying the case would violate Switzerland's strict bank secrecy laws.

MBIA Inc , the world's largest bond insurer, sued Merrill Lynch & Co on Thursday seeking damages for losses from complex debt securities it insured for the bank.

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted on Thursday in favor of legislation to protect credit card users from hidden fees, sudden interest rate hikes and questionable billing practices.

The World Bank Group (WBG) announced Thursday the new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for supporting the Philippines for Fiscal Years 2010-2012.

Walt Disney Co will buy a 30 percent stake in Hulu.com, bringing popular TV shows such as Lost and Grey's Anatomy to the video website founded by NBC Universal and News Corp.

Walt Disney Co. has reached a deal to take a nearly 30% stake in the popular Hulu video website and will offer full episodes of its ABC TV shows on the site.

A bill restricting credit card practices and sudden hikes in interest rates and late fees that have left millions of consumers swamped in debt was passed by the House on Thursday.

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved credit card legislation on Thursday aimed at protecting consumers from hidden fees and sudden interest rate hikes.

Time magazine has released its annual Time 100 list which honors the most influential people in the world. Among the list, names like President Obama, Vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin, Twitter founders and even Wall Street mega-swindler Madoff appear.

One of my best friends for the past 20-plus years is Sri Lankan. I was essentially 'adopted' by their family during my formative years .

The U.S. housing market is showing some early signs of a turnaround, but its too early to say if a full recovery is underway, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan said on Wednesday.

The Dow and S&P 500 fell on Thursday after Chrysler's bankruptcy filing undercut optimism about upbeat corporate profits and reassuring job market data.

On Thursday, Pure Digital unveiled the second-generation of its Ultra series, the Flip Ultra Camcorders featuring high definition.

Evergreen Solar Inc. reported a net loss in the first quarter due to declining prices on solar panels amid a the economic downturn.

Booming demand for agriculture products helped chemical companies BASF and Dow Chemical Co record better than expected quarterly profits on Thursday.

Procter & Gamble Co trimmed its fiscal 2009 outlook and did not offer a 2010 forecast on Thursday at a time when investors are searching for clarity amid the recession, and its shares fell about 2 percent.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment aid fell unexpectedly last week, suggesting the pace of layoffs was easing, even as benefit rolls in mid-April swelled to another record high.

The World Bank announced Thursday that a Bank staff member in Washington DC was preliminarily diagnosed with the Swine Flu on April 29.

The Dow and S&P 500 fell on Thursday after Chrysler's bankruptcy filing undercut optimism about upbeat corporate profits and reassuring job market data.

Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country that occupies most of the Arabian peninsula and has both Persian Gulf and Red Sea coast lines. Its surrounding countries are Jordan to the northwest, Iraq to the northeast, Kuwait and Qatar to the east, United Arab Emirates to the south east, Oman and Yemen to the south.

Apache Corp said Thursday it has acquired Permian Properties from Marathon Oil Corp for $187.4 million after it posted better than expected first quarter profits amidst the global recessions.

U.S. toymaker Hasbro Inc and Discovery Communications unveiled a joint venture on Thursday for a television network and website that will carry children's programs featuring brands like G.I. Joe, Transformers and My Little Pony.