IBT Staff Reporter

Downtown Oakland was bustling with activity this weekend as people gathered to attend a marijuana street fair, touted as the first in the nation.

Italy's chaotic efforts to pass a new austerity plan already included disputed figures, policy U-turns and cabinet rows even before Silvio Berlusconi's latest brush with scandal added prostitutes and wiretaps to the mix.

European shares were set for sharp losses on Monday after Asian stocks slid and the euro hit a three-week low against the dollar, as fears of a renewed U.S. recession and sustained worries about the euro zone debt crisis prompted investors to sell riskier assets.

Recent gains in the Chinese yuan have helped curb price rises in the country, but it's too early to conclude that Beijing has won its battle on inflation, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said on Monday.

It's been a rough summer for U.S. initial public offerings after the stock market nosedived, but tech issues could see strong demand after bankers and fund managers return from vacation in September.

As global companies expand in Asia, financial hubs such as Hong Kong are suffering a shortage of international school places that may blunt the city's competitive edge against regional rivals including Singapore.

China needs to rebalance its economy by boosting consumption since the country cannot rely on exports and investment alone to drive growth over the longer term, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said on Monday.

Asian stocks fell and the euro slipped to a three-week low against the dollar on Monday as fears of renewed recession in the United States and sustained worries about the euro zone debt crisis prompted investors to sell riskier assets.

NASA has released a new interactive and free web-based application that allows users to explore the solar system. The Eyes on the Solar System provides a 3D environment full of NASA's mission data that allows users to see the solar system in real time.

Health experts lamented a move by U.S. President Barack Obama to halt rules on limiting smog pollution, saying the decision could endanger many people already susceptible to respiratory problems.

Scientists have produced the first stemcells from endangered species, marking the initial steps towards ensuring the survival of endangered species and perhaps even reviving extinct ones through stem cell technology.

A decision about whether Disney will proceed with its high-profile The Lone Ranger is expected next week, TheWrap has confirmed.

Madonna's latest cinematic effort, W.E., isn't exactly wowing the critics, but maybe the singer will have better luck with her return to music.

The viewing public might be split on Chaz Bono's participation on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, but the way he sees it, his inclusion on the show is just what the doctor ordered for this country.

Susan Lucci is not letting All My Children go without a fight -- or at least a few choice words for ABC Daytime president Brian Frons.

As a child in Soviet Russia, Rodion Nahapetov wasn't allowed to read American books, so he may seem an odd choice to adapt Ray Bradbury's classic tale of Americana, Dandelion Wine.

Samsung Electronics Co has stopped promoting its new tablet computer at Europe's biggest consumer electronics fair after a court-ordered sales injunction in Germany, the latest setback in its global patent battle with Apple Inc.

The Dutch government said on Sunday it was investigating whether Iran may have been involved in hacking Dutch state websites after digital certificates were stolen.

Comedian Eddie Murphy is on an Oscar producer's shortlist to host the Academy Awards in February, showbusiness website Deadline reported.

Amazon.com Inc is rolling out a major redesign of its familiar website as it prepares to offer a new $250 tablet device to rival Apple Inc's iPad.

Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti promised on Sunday to meet Italy's budget commitments after the European Central Bank stepped up pressure for action by the struggling center-right government.

A consortium that included the Chinese government was the biggest buyer of a 5 percent stake in China Construction Bank Corp sold last month by Bank of America, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Greece's finance minister said on Sunday Greece was speeding up structural reforms to exit a debt crisis and dismissed reports about a breach in the nation's relations with its international lenders.

Wesley Snejider has now revealed that former Inter manager Jose Mourinho had advised him to stay in Italy.

Arsenal have been dealt a blow as Jack Wilshere has been sidelined for a further two months with a recurring ankle injury.

Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti promised on Sunday to meet Italy's budget pledges after growing speculation over whether the European Central Bank may cut back its purchases of Italian government debt.

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Sunday called for the creation of a United States of Europe, saying the bloc needed a common government to avoid future economic crises.

The Slovak parliament will vote on strengthening the euro zone joint rescue fund in December at the earliest, the head of junior government party said on Sunday, prolonging uncertainty over when the new powers could take effect.

Economics Minister Motohisa Furukawa said on Sunday he and three other economy-related ministers in Japan agreed that measures to respond to a firmer yen need to be compiled quickly to alleviate the negative effect of the currency's appreciation on the domestic economy.