IBT Staff Reporter

Japan dismissed the need for joint action to curb the soaring yen ahead of a conference call of G7 finance ministers and sources said the group of rich nations was more likely to offer general pledges of solidarity as Tokyo struggles to contain a nuclear crisis.

U.S. troops and civilian teams have responded to the Japanese government's request to help distribute humanitarian aid supplies and search for survivors in Japan after last Friday's massive 9.0 earthquake and power tsunami.

Gold Bullion prices stalled just above $1400 per ounce for the second day running on Thursday, as crude oil rose sharply amid the near-meltdown at Japan's Fukushima nuclear reactors.

Daily deals website Groupon could be valued at as much as $25 billion in an initial public offering, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing two people with knowledge of the company's discussions with banks.

The dollar rose about half a yen against the Japanese currency on Thursday with investors nervous about possible intervention from the Bank of Japan to weaken the yen after it hit a record high.

Consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in more than 1-1/2 years in February, driven by higher food and energy prices, but underlying inflation pressures remained generally contained.

The publisher of adult magazine Penthouse said it plans to sell shares in an initial public offering, using the money to pay down debt.

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell as expected last week, with the four-week moving average dropping to its lowest level in more than 2-1/2 years, pointing to a strengthening labor market.

Prince William is taking a break from wedding preparations to tour areas devastated by February's Christchurch earthquake and to visit families who lost loved ones at the Pike River Mine in Greymouth.

Intel Corp. has acquired New Venture Partners' portfolio company, Silicon Hive, a spin-out from Philips Electronics (Philips). Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

FedEx Corp, the world's largest cargo airline, forecast improved revenue and margins in the current quarter and beyond, and sees more shipments for reconstruction in Japan.

Daily deals website Groupon could be valued at as much as $25 billion in an initial public offering, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing two people with knowledge of the company's discussions with banks.

Medical device maker St. Jude Medical on Wednesday said Chief Executive Daniel Starks was arrested by airport police in New Delhi for possession of ammunition.

Shares of apparel retailer Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) plunged to a 4 1/2 month low on Thursday after it guided first quarter below consensus estimates.

NEW YORK, March 17 - In the ongoing insider-trading trial of Raj Rajaratnam, the government is firing some potent missiles from its arsenal of 2,400 taped phone conversations. But in a related case, a federal judge recently rebuked investigators for their handling of a wiretap, showing this powerful tool can open the government to uncomfortable legal challenges.

Today's efforts to cool the over-heating Fukushima nuclear plant involved three Chinook helicopters which attempted to douse the reactors with sea-water.

In a letter sent to Apple staffers, Steve Jobs sends his condolences to the company's Japanese staff.

The first space probe in 40 years to approach the planet Mercury will begin orbiting the planet tonight. It will be the first spacecraft to orbit the planet and study it in depth.

If it's QE2 and through, will the Federal Reserve soon start letting the air out of its balance sheet balloon as well?

The yen traded near a record high against the dollar on Thursday, hovering around levels that traders fear could test Japanese authorities' resolve to weaken the currency through direct market intervention.

Stocks were poised to bounce back at the open on Thursday, a day after Wall Street wiped out most of its gains for the year, but Japan's nuclear crisis was set to drive trading in another volatile session for markets.

TMZ is reporting that the defense wants a first generation fingerprint of a broken syringe that was found under Michael Jackson's bed the day he died. The report says that this could potentially prove that Jackson killed himself.

Brean Murray Carret & Co. reiterated its price target of $60 on Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES), saying the apparel retailer remains well positioned for uncertain times.

FedEx Corp, the world's largest cargo airline, forecast improved revenue and margins in the current quarter and beyond, boosted by strong demand.

Consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in more than 1-1/2 years in February, driven by higher food and energy prices, a government report showed on Thursday, but underlying inflation pressures remained generally contained.

Honda Motor Co is recalling about 21,700 of its current-model compact Honda Civic cars due to the possibility that fuel will leak in a roll-over crash, the company and U.S. regulators said on Thursday.

FedEx Corp, the world's largest cargo airline, forecast improved revenue and margins in the current quarter and beyond, boosted by strong demand.

The yen briefly hit record highs versus the dollar on Thursday as quake-hit Japan's nuclear crisis unleashed a global risk sell-off, while world stocks traded higher after Tokyo stocks came off earlier lows.