Legal fight in Dow-Kuwaiti deal looms Dow Chemical will pursue legal action against a state-owned Kuwaiti company that scuttled a $17.4 billion joint venture just days before the deal was to close, and said Tuesday that talks for a sim

Apple updates Mac software in trade show finaleApple updates Mac software in trade show finale Apple Inc.'s final appearance at the Macworld trade show has opened with a focus on new software for Mac computers.

Judge tosses suit challenging tobacco settlement A federal judge has dismissed a challenge to the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between the states and 19 tobacco product makers saying there's no legal basis for attacking the compact.

Factory orders drop more than expected in Nov. Orders to factories fell for a record fourth straight month in November, reflecting the intensifying effects of the country's steep recession.

Pending home sales plunge to record low in Nov. The National Association of Realtors says pending home sales fell to the lowest level on record in November, as the plummeting stock market and faltering economy caused buyers to put their purchase

Stocks pare gains following mixed economic reports Stocks pared some of their earlier gains Tuesday following disappointing readings on pending home sales and factory orders.

Stocks rise moderately ahead of data Investors waded back into the market Tuesday, sending stocks moderately higher ahead of a fresh round of readings on the service sector, factory orders and pending home sales.

Legal battle in Dow-Kuwaiti deal on the way Dow Chemical says it will pursue legal action against a state-owned Kuwaiti company that pulled out of a joint venture agreement a week ago, and is already in talks to revive the deal with another

Skilling convictions upheld, resentencing ordered An appeals court has upheld former Enron Corp. CEO Jeff Skilling's convictions for his role in the energy giant's collapse but orders that he be resentenced.

Stocks up moderately after mixed economic reports Wall Street proceeded cautiously Tuesday, with stocks rising moderately following disappointing readings on pending home sales and factory orders.

Oil gives up early gains on more bad economic news Oil prices gave up early gains Tuesday as fresh signs of a deepening U.S. recession trumped tensions in the Middle East and worries over natural gas shortages in Europe.

Natural gas shortages slam some European nationsNatural gas shortages slam some European nations A natural gas crisis loomed over Europe on Tuesday, as a contract dispute between Russia and Ukraine shut off Russian gas supplies to six countries and reduced gas deliveries to several others.

Services index shows less contraction in December An index of activity in the U.S. services sector contracted at a slower pace in December as new orders and employment improved.

World stocks rally on some rare corporate cheerWorld stocks rally on some rare corporate cheer World stock markets rose strongly Tuesday ahead of expected gains on Wall Street and amid some relatively positive corporate news, particularly from the struggling British retailing sector.

South Korea announces 'Green New Deal' for jobs South Korea said Tuesday it will invest 50 trillion won ($38.1 billion) over the next four years on environmental projects in a "Green New Deal" to spur slumping economic growth and create nearly a

Stock futures regain momentum ahead of data Wall Street headed for a moderately higher open Tuesday, regaining its upward momentum ahead of a fresh round of readings on the service sector, factory orders and pending home sales.

Obama stimulus plan boosts business tax refunds President-elect Barack Obama's proposed stimulus package would provide businesses with billions of dollars in refunds on taxes they paid several years ago.

GM says China '08 sales up 6 pct but growth slowsGM says China '08 sales up 6 pct but growth slows General Motors Corp. said Tuesday its sales in China rose 6 percent to 1.09 million vehicles in 2008, but growth slowed as consumers held back amid an economic downturn.

Unusual or Off-Beat

Va 6-year-old takes family car after missing bus Having missed his bus, a 6-year-old Virginia boy tried to drive to school in his family's sedan—and crashed.

Boy, 4, shoots babysitter for stepping on his foot Police say an angry 4-year-old Ohio boy grabbed a gun from a closet and shot his baby sitter.

Man shot by his stepdad ends up in jail with him A man who police said was shot by his stepfather ended up in the same jail with him after officers discovered outstanding arrest warrants against the victim.

Fabulous fib is named Wis. club's top lie of 2008 A whopper about a devious baby and his diapers is the top lie of 2008, an organization of champion fibbers declared Monday.

Father-son duo accused of gravestone robbing Police are puzzling over what would motivate a father and son to haul off six tombstones from a monument company in suburban Albany. Town of Colonie Detective Lt.