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

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.

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.

European stocks lifted by retailers, automakersEuropean stocks lifted by retailers, automakers European stock markets rose modestly Tuesday despite Wall Street's setback from the day before as some relatively positive corporate news helped offset concerns about the global economy.

Ukraine gas official: Talks to resume The head of Ukraine's gas company Naftogaz says talks on resolving the gas dispute with Russia will resume Thursday.
Oleh Dubina announced Tuesday that he will travel to Moscow.

World markets extend gains, Nikkei up 0.4 percentWorld markets extend gains, Nikkei up 0.4 percent Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday, shrugging off lackluster trade overnight in the U.S. and Europe amid growing optimism the world economy would start to recover later this year.

Madoff scandal, SEC role under scrutinyMadoff scandal, SEC role under scrutiny Two more months of mortgage payments and retiree Allan Goldstein says he'll be broke, just another victim in what may be the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.

US auto sales plunge whopping 36 percent in Dec.US auto sales plunge whopping 36 percent in Dec. Huge rebates and zero-percent loans couldn't overcome economic uncertainty as U.S.

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

Oil above $48 as investors eye Gaza conflict, OPEC Oil prices remained above $48 a barrel Tuesday in Asia amid signs OPEC is implementing announced production cuts and as Israel's ground offensive in Gaza kept tensions high in the oil-rich Middle E

Nation's health spending rises, but not so much Health care continued to take up a greater share of the economy in 2007, as spending on hospitals, doctors and other services increased 6.1 percent to $2.2 trillion.

Russian gas shipments to Balkans via Ukraine cease Turkey, Romania, Greece and other Balkan nations reported a complete shut off of Russian gas shipped via Ukraine Tuesday, in a sharp escalation of a struggle over energy that threatens Europe as wi

Ukraine: Russia cuts gas to Europe by two-thirds Ukraine's gas company Naftogaz said Tuesday that Russia's Gazprom slashed natural gas shipments to Europe by about two-thirds, while Balkan nations reported a complete shut off of Russian gas, in a

Toyota to suspend production for 11 days in Japan Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will suspend production at all of its Japanese plants for a total of 11 days in February and March because of faltering global demand.

AP source: Ex-eBay CEO to run for Calif. governor Former eBay Inc. chief executive Meg Whitman plans to run for governor of California, a person with knowledge of her political aspirations said Monday.

Unusual or Off-Beat

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.

Police: Mexican woman in wheelchair flees on foot Police say a woman who begged from a wheelchair was caught running from a crime scene on foot in Monterrey, Mexico.