BUSINESS

As Google is expected to collaborate with Samsung Electronics for its next Galaxy smartphone, HTC may be teaming up with Facebook for a new device that could see a third-quarter release.

Britain's economy contracted in the first quarter, its second such consecutive decline, sending Europe's third-largest economy into a double-dip recession and giving ammunition to critics of Prime Minister David Cameron's austerity measures.

On April 25, Burger King Corp. became the world's first fast food chain to get all of its eggs and pork from cage-free chickens and pigs.By 2017, the world's second-biggest fast-food restaurant will cater to customers who seek more humanely produced fare.

AutoNation Inc. (NYSE: AN), Penkse Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE: PAG) and Sonic Automotive Inc.( NYSE: SAH), the three largest auto dealer groups, each reported profit growth in the first quarter, demonstrating the quarter's strong auto sales.

At a time when many airlines are going bankrupt, tacking on high baggage fees and having massive layoffs and merging, Virgin Atlantic is not following the trends and is offering luxury suites ranging in price from $4,000 to $10,000.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke rattled financial markets Wednesday afternoon, as the top U.S. central banker hemmed and hawed his way through a tough round of questioning from a cadre of economic reporters.

Strong first-quarter earnings and a slightly more positive view of the U.S. economy by the central bank offset disappointing durable goods numbers for March to boost equities and trim bonds.

Over 1,300 Palestinian prisoners remain on a hunger strike in Israel after eight days, protesting indefinite detentions and demanding better conditions.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), the No. 2 computer company, plans to acquire private Vivisimo, a data analytics specialist, to bolster its push into handling ?Big Data.?

Donald Trump fears that a wind farm off the shores of Scotland would harm the country's tourism industry ... and also his $1.2 billion golf course.

Sarkozy has to walk a fine line between trying not to alienate Le Pen?s supporters, while appearing not to agree with some of their more extremist points of view.

Americans are still shying away from stocks, an attempt to be more secure in regard to their financial security, new numbers indicate, but their view on investing in the stock market remains tepid at best.

Demand for long-lasting manufactured goods tumbled by the most in three years in March and businesses cut back on spending plans, suggesting the economy slowed as the first quarter drew to a close.

According to a survey released this week, oil and natural gas executives and investors think the price of natural gas will remain below $2.50 per 1,000 cubic feet for the rest of the year -- a level that is too low for the industry's growth.

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F), the second-largest U.S. carmaker, is expected to report Friday its first-quarter earnings plunged by 42.6 percent as gains in North America couldn't offset a slump in vehicle demand in Europe and slowing sales growth in South America and Asia.

Starbucks Corp. is expected to report a higher second quarter profit as the company's expansion efforts and growing line of products, as well as the diminishing cost of coffee, continue to add revenue sources for the company.

Stocks rose on Wednesday after Apple's blowout quarter overshadowed a drop in durable goods and further lifted optimism in an earnings season that has far outstripped expectations.

The target U.S. interest rate will remain at its current level of 0 to 0.25 percent through late 2014, the Federal Open Market Committee led by Federal Reserve chairman Ben S. Bernanke decided at a meeting Wednesday.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday offered a modestly brighter assessment of the economy's prospects and few clues on the path of monetary policy, as it reiterated that interest rates likely will not rise until at least late 2014.

The right-wing extremist refuted a psychiatric report that found him legally insane in relation to the shooting spree and bombing attack that killed 77 people in Norway last year.

Shares of Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), the No. 3 U.S. telecommunications company, jumped as much as 7 percent after the company reported a lower-than-expected first-quarter loss.

Royal Bank of Scotland is planning to spin off its mergers and acquisitions business to some of its top bankers, sources said, forming a new advisory boutique with anticipated investment from foreign banks without a big footprint in Europe.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday repeated its promise to leave interest rates on hold until at least late 2014 but offered few clues into whether it might offer additional stimulus later this year.

Stocks clung to strong gains on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve repeated its promise to leave interest rates on hold until at least late 2014 while giving few clues into whether it might supply additional stimulus later this year.

Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual raised 3.65 billion reais ($1.96 billion) in the country's largest initial public offering in more than 2 1/2 years amid strong demand, a local regulator said Tuesday.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday repeated its promise to leave interest rates on hold until at least late 2014 but offered few clues into whether it might offer additional stimulus later this year.

Palladium prices are bouncing back from a big decline that started in February in what could be a sign of rising investor confidence in the U.S. recovery, thanks to rising auto sales, and concerns over Russian supplies.

Nearly 100 protesters affiliated with the 99 Percent populist movement disrupted General Electric Co's annual shareholders' meeting on Wednesday in an attack on the largest U.S. conglomerate's low tax rate.

Stocks advanced on Wednesday after a blowout quarter from Apple further lifted optimism in an earnings season that has far outstripped expectations.