North Korea on Wednesday threatened a new nuclear test unless the U.N. Security Council apologized for tightening sanctions, confirming some analysts' fears that Pyongyang is determined to build an atomic arsenal.
China said on Thursday the possibility of North Korea conducting a second nuclear test was hypothetical, so it could not say how it would affect relations.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon told his people to stay home from Friday for a five-day partial shutdown of the economy, after the World Health Organization said a swine flu pandemic was imminent.
Oil rose toward $52 a barrel on Thursday, partly in response to a more optimistic view of the world economy from the U.S. Federal Reserve that also helped drive equity markets to their highest level since early January.
Global stock markets jumped more than one percent on Thursday to their highest since early January as investors bet on a stabilization of the ailing world economy and took heart from some upbeat corporate earnings.
World stocks scaled a four-month peak on Thursday, powered by solid gains in Asia, as investors took heart from signs of improvement in the U.S. economy suggesting regional exporters may need to start cranking up production.
World stocks scaled a four-month peak on Thursday, powered by solid gains in Asia, as investors took heart from signs of improvement in the U.S. economy suggesting regional exporters may need to start cranking up production.
The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday the outlook for the U.S. economy had improved a bit in recent weeks but that low interest rates would be needed for some time to ensure it recovers from its deep recession.
Morgan Stanley is not likely to pursue a retail bank acquisition while it scrambles to complete its joint venture with Citigroup Inc brokerage unit Smith Barney, Morgan Chief Executive John Mack said.
North Korea on Wednesday threatened a new nuclear test unless the U.N. Security Council apologizes for tightening sanctions, confirming some analysts' fears that Pyongyang was determined to build an atomic arsenal.
Asian stocks dropped for a second day on Tuesday and Japanese shares hit a one-month low, with investors fretting about the potential economic fallout if the swine virus outbreak becomes a full-fledged pandemic and the results of U.S. bank stress tests.
New swine flu infections were found around the world on Tuesday and the specter of a pandemic began to hit the travel industry as governments warned people to stay away from Mexico where 149 people have died.
Nissan Motor Co. announced Monday a new operational system across the Americas while emphasizing its move to introduce electric, zero emissions vehicles in its car lineup.
New Zealand and Israel confirmed cases of swine flu on Tuesday, the latest countries hit by a new strain that has killed up to 149 people in Mexico and which threatens to become a pandemic.
Honda Motor Co (7267.T) forecast a small profit for this year as it cuts costs to counter plunging car sales and a strong yen, and said its leading position in motorcyles is helping it cope with the severe global slowdown.
Japanese power companies will this week report for the first time the cost of buying carbon emissions offsets, a sum likely to rise in coming years as a recession does little to help them achieve self-imposed targets.
Idemitsu Kosan Co (5019.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Tuesday it plans to invest as much as 600 billion yen ($6.2 billion) over the next three years, mostly on exploration and refining overseas.
Japan and China are looking at cooperating on next-generation cellphone services, which would help China develop its wireless technology and Japanese makers expand in China, a Japanese government official said.
President Barack Obama on Monday announced a goal of ensuring 3 percent of the country's gross domestic product is spent on scientific research and development.
The threat of a pandemic triggered by a new swine flu strain that has killed more than 100 people in Mexico will provide a windfall for some makers of drugs, vaccines and protective masks.
Specialty glass maker Corning Inc posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, boosted by cost cutting and improving demand for glass for flat screen televisions and computer monitors.
Stock index futures traded lower, suggesting a weaker start for Wall Street later on Monday as worries linked to a global swine flu outbreak added to U.S. bank stress-test jitters.
