UNITED STATES

New York Fashion Week, a twice-yearly event that draws thousands of fashion insiders and fans, has a reputation for glamour, exclusivity and luxury yet is increasingly attracting sponsors such as Maybelline that sell modestly priced goods.

Democratic Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana will not seek re-election this fall, a Democratic aide said on Monday, potentially adding to President Barack Obama's difficulty in pushing his initiatives through a balky Congress.

Turmoil in Europe and belt-tightening in China are endangering a U.S. economic recovery that many believed was tentative even without headwinds from abroad.

Ford Motor Co will launch a new small car for its Mercury brand in early 2011, based on the automaker's new global compact car platform, Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields said on Sunday.

Norway's Yara agreed to buy Terra Industries for $4.1 billion to create the world's biggest mineral fertiliser producer and boost its U.S. presence.

European shares closed higher on Monday, supported by gains in banks and miners, but a lack of clarity over euro zone support for Greece was seen capping further gains for equities.

Denmark's Danisco launched on Monday a new enzyme for bioethanol production from plant waste material and rival Novozymes said it would unveil a competing product on Tuesday.

U.S. Marines leading one of NATO's biggest offensives against the Taliban in the eight-year war are facing fierce resistance in some areas, including heavy gunfire, snipers and booby traps, U.S. officials said on Monday.

The euro fell against the dollar on Monday, hovering close to nine-month lows as investors waited to see whether meetings of European finance ministers would result in further support for Greece.

Bharti Airtel is in exclusive talks to buy most of Kuwaiti telecom group Zain's African business, the firm's third attempt at gaining a foothold in a continent that offers a last opportunity for major subscriber growth.

European stock indices edged mostly higher in this quiet trading day, led by financial and commodities firms.

Vice President Joe Biden rejected assertions by Dick Cheney on Sunday that the Obama administration was soft on terrorism and waterboarding should have been an option for the suspect in an attempted Christmas Day airline bombing.

Bharti Airtel is in exclusive talks to buy for $10.7 billion in cash most of Kuwaiti telecom group Zain's African cellular assets, the Indian firm's third attempt at gaining a foothold in a continent that offers a last opportunity for major subscriber growth.

The euro held near a nine-month low against the dollar on Tuesday, with all signs that euro zone policymakers will focus on making Greece fully implement budget cuts rather than gifting it swift financial aid.

Euro zone government bonds drifted lower on Monday with attention still on peripheral issuers before a meeting of the bloc's finance ministers following last week's pledge of support for debt-ridden Greece.

Britain's top share index gained 0.8 percent by midday on Monday, as banks and commodities rallied following the previous session's falls and British Airways climbed on hopes of a global alliance.

Thousands of Floridians demonstrated against moves to allow offshore oil drilling on Saturday along the east and west coasts of the state in a protest dubbed Hands Across the Sand.

Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is confronting a mounting budget deficit that threatens to force thousands of job cuts, deplete its fiscal reserve and further damage its credit rating.

Spain is willing to take five inmates of the U.S. Guantanamo Bay prison, Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said on Monday.

Yemeni Shi'ite rebels freed a Saudi soldier on Monday, handing him to a ceasefire committee in a goodwill gesture, a Yemeni official said.

Iran is studying proposals from the United States, Russia and France on a nuclear fuel swap, an Iranian news agency reported on Monday, but Paris said the only valid offer was an existing deal that Tehran has yet to accept.