U.S.

The holiday tug-of-war is under way. U.S. retailers want to rack up sales now, not later. Consumers, however, are resisting, playing the waiting game for bigger discounts closer to Christmas. To win the battle, many retailers are enticing shoppers with so-called limited-time sales, hoping a deadline will convince them to spend money now -- and help stores avoid profit-crunching price cuts later in the season.

U.S Stocks fell for a second day Tuesday, as major stocks fell on news of deteriorating credit markets.

US stocks were nearly flat on Monday after dropping earlier following comments by Eric Rosengren, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President, said the economy's expansion will slow down.

Stocks were little changed on Monday after comments by the Treasury Secretary that a mortgage aid plan was in the works helped offset declines after a report showing slower growth in manufacturing last month.

Wall Street's rebound from its first full-fledged correction in more than four years could continue this week if investors believe a plan to keep millions of Americans from losing their homes can work.

China turned down another request for a U.S Navy ship to visit Hong Kong amid

Stocks rose on Friday on a report the U.S. Treasury will soon unveil a plan to help stem the subprime mortgage crisis and on comments by Fed chief Ben Bernanke that added to expectations of an interest-rate cut.

U.S. stocks were lower on Thursday, after fluctuating during the day, with a rise in energy sector stocks but disappointment in quarterly earnings at retailers.

Stocks fell on Thursday, surrendering some of Wednesday's large gains, as retailers stumbled after several disappointing quarterly earnings reports, including Sears Holdings Corp.

An explosion crippled the biggest pipeline supplying Canadian crude to U.S. Midwest refineries, shutting off more than 1 million barrels per day of imports to the world's biggest consumer.

Stocks rallied on Wednesday as financial shares extended their comeback for a second day, helped by remarks by a Federal Reserve official that raised hopes of an interest rate cut. Financials were leading the Dow and S&P following Fed Vice Chairman Donald Kohn's comments. The group has struggled under tight credit conditions.

UK car dealer Pendragon has issued its second profit warning in five months, saying the company expects to miss full year profit targets by £12 million.

Pakistan's General Pervez Musharraf said farewell to military colleagues on Tuesday as he prepared to become a civilian president ahead of January's general election.

US stocks were nearly flat in Mid-day trading on Monday, recovering after earlier losses following continued concerns over a weakening credit market and a worsening subprime mortgage situation.

In May, Alvin Clavon received a foreclosure notice on the simple, Spanish-style house in South Los Angeles that he shares with his wife and three boys.

AT&T signed a two-year $6 million contract for providing U.S. Airways with wireless and wire line services for its cargo tracking operations as well as internal support of the airline's employees.

Stocks slid on Wednesday as fears of more credit losses and mortgage defaults sunk shares of financial services companies, while worries about the impact of near record crude oil prices hit retailers and shares of big manufacturers.

Concerns of a relapse in financial conditions trumped hawkish rhetoric from the minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's October rate meeting, keeping market expectations for a near-term interest-rate cut intact. Minutes from the October 30-31 Federal Open Market Committee meeting showed the Fed's decision to cut benchmark rates last month was a close call and an insurance policy against the risk the economy would weaken even more than officials expect.

China and India may be strong enough to make up for a slowdown in the world's largest economy

Iran has agreed to hold a new round of talks soon with the United States on how to improve security in Iraq, Iran's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Stock index futures trimmed gains and were well off their session highs on Tuesday after Freddie Mac, the No. 2 U.S. mortgage finance company, posted a wider third-quarter loss.