UNITED STATES

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to say Goldman Sachs Group Inc, JPMorgan Chase & Co and perhaps a few other banks will be allowed to repay money to the Troubled Asset Relief Program, The Wall Street Journal said on Monday, without saying where it got the information.

Spectra Energy units Maritimes Canada and Maritimes U.S. said in separate website postings over the weekend that the Sable Island Offshore Energy Project in Nova Scotia had returned to normal output levels after decreasing production late last week.

The Chinese government has required that personal computer makers bundle software that filters Internet content from July 1, raising concerns over cyber-security as well as Internet freedoms.

As students study for final exams, the retail industry is gearing up for its biggest test so far this year -- the back-to-school shopping season. After cutting costs to cope with slack consumer demand during the recession, retailers hope the economy will start to recover in the second half of the year.

The U.S. job market strengthened in May for the first time in 16 months, indicating that while job loss figures remain deep in the woods a recovery, albeit slow, is in sight, a research group said on Monday.

Volkswagen's Audi emerged as the clear winner among Germany's luxury carmakers in May, posting a far smaller decline in global vehicle sales than either BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

Fitch Ratings on Monday said it expects to keep its top rating on the most senior commercial mortgage-backed securities for the

McDonald's Corp on Monday reported a 5.1 percent increase in May sales at restaurants open at least 13 months, on strong demand in Europe and Asia/Pacific.

The U.S. automobile industry had quite a party during the recent credit-infused economic boom, but the hangover could last for years to come.

Solar firm SunPower Corp. said Monday it signed a deal with Jabil Circuit to manufacture solar panels in Mexico for the North American market.

McDonald's Corp on Monday reported a 5.1 percent increase in May sales at restaurants open at least 13 months, with demand strong in Europe and Asia/Pacific.

Oil fell by $1 toward $68 a barrel on Monday as a stronger dollar prompted a retreat from a seven-month high above $70 hit last week.

Oil fell by $1 toward $67 a barrel on Monday as a stronger dollar prompted a retreat from a seven-month high above $70 hit last week.

Edward Krudy

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield hit a seven-month high on Monday ahead of fresh supply this week and because of speculation the Federal Reserve may have to raise interest rates sooner than anticipated.

Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) CEO Jeroen van der Veer said on Monday that looking at current poor margins, the world has more oil refining capacity than needed.

McDonald's Corp on Monday reported a 5.1 percent increase in May sales at restaurants open at least 13 months, on strong demand in Europe and Asia/Pacific.

President Barack Obama said on Monday he expected to create or save 600,000 jobs over the next 100 days by expediting 10 major projects funded by a huge stimulus package that Congress passed in February.

North Korea, facing U.N. sanctions for last month's nuclear test, on Monday raised the stakes in its growing confrontation with Washington by sentencing two U.S. journalists to 12 years hard labor for grave crimes.

The Chinese government has required that personal computer makers bundle a software that filters Internet content from July 1, according to a Ministry of Industry and Information Technology document seen by Reuters.

Indiana pension funds and consumer groups asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Sunday to stop the sale of bankrupt automaker Chrysler LLC to a group led by Italian carmaker Fiat SpA while they challenge the deal.