IBT Staff Reporter

U.S. stock index futures fell on Wednesday after Portugal's sovereign credit rating was downgraded one notch on budget concerns.

General Mills Inc posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by sales of new items like chocolate Cheerios cereal and the company's continuing focus on cost cuts.

Users of Google Inc.'s search engines across Beijing reported erratic service on Wednesday, with the site sometimes failing to open, and some searches for even non-sensitive terms like hello returning error messages.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.6 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.3 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.4 percent.

Bank of America Corp is keen to expand in China, Chief Executive Brian Moynihan said on Wednesday.

Scientists today reported development of the first two-in-one test that can simultaneously detect both the E. coli bacteria and other toxins which causes terrible food poisoning. They described it at the 239th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), being held here this week.

The Federal Reserve will start moving away from its zero interest rate policy later this year as the U.S. economy improves modestly and job growth resumes, the UCLA Anderson Forecast unit said on Wednesday.

The euro sank to a 10-month low against the dollar and a lifetime trough versus the Swiss franc on Wednesday as speculation Greece may have a difficult time securing debt aid highlighted instability in the euro zone.

General Motors Wednesday unveiled a new concept car that it hopes will solidify its position in electric vehicles, not least in China, the world's biggest auto market.

Continious raining and flooding at Queensland increases the odds of Ross River virus cases around the state.

Carmaker Fiat is seen cutting 5,000 jobs as part of its strategic plan due to be unveiled next month while at the same time increasing Italian production by 50 percent, newspaper la Repubblica reported.

Workers at Kwinana power station were sent home upon discovering that their working area has been contaminated by asbestos.

Leichhardt Council passed a resolution to ban smokers in their restaurant areas and oudoor cafes for the safety and enjoyment of their residents and visitors.

The man behind Samsung Group's rise to become the world's largest electronics powerhouse returned to head its flagship unit, two years after being indicted over financial misdeeds.

The euro hit 10-month lows against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday as investors doubted a solution for Greece's fiscal woes was on the cards, with the cautious mood holding Asian stocks below two-month highs.

JPMorgan Chase is closing in on a deal with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp that could result in a tax refund of about $1.4 billion for the bank, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the talks.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world's second-biggest mobile phone maker, on Tuesday unveiled a new smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S, which is based on Google Inc's Android software.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is considering coming up with a code of conduct for banks on how they help clients with taxes, a senior official said on Wednesday.

U.S. auto finance company GMAC Financial Services may sell its factoring business unit to Wells Fargo & Co , Bloomberg said, citing two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Settlements of U.S. class-action securities lawsuits rose 39 percent in 2009, and the amounts could rise further as cases stemming from the financial crisis work their way through the courts.

US authorities warned parents in using baby slings to carry their child.

Researchers have found out the insulin can treat diabetes.

The euro plumbed record lows on Wednesday as investors remained skeptical about a solution for Greece's fiscal woes, while Asian stocks tracked Wall Street's rally overnight to push toward two-month highs.

The agave plant that gave the world tequila contains fructans which may help protect against osteoporosis by boosting the body's absorption of calcium and could have other health benefits, as reported by scientists at the 239th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Skype's popular telephony application will be available on nine phone models sold by Verizon Wireless starting on Thursday.

Wynn Macau on Wednesday posted a 77.6 percent jump in second-half earnings, as more Chinese gamblers placed their bets in the Macau operations of Las Vegas casino operator Wynn Resorts , thanks to soaring economic growth.

A new research revealed that it takes more than tightening loose skin to restore a youthful look. A study by physicians at the University of Rochester Medical Center indicates that significant changes in facial bones - particularly the jaw bone - occur as people age and contribute to an aging appearance.

One of the biggest insider trading cases to hit London in years cast a shadow on Tuesday on European banks Deutsche Bank AG and BNP Paribas SA , as well as U.S. hedge fund Moore Capital.

Sprint Nextel Corp on Tuesday unveiled the HTC EVO 4G from HTC Corp, the No. 3 U.S. operator's first cellphone that will support its WiMax high-speed wireless service.