IBT Staff Reporter

Google Inc took the wraps off a new smartphone that it will sell directly to consumers, aiming to boost its position in the emerging mobile Internet market by exerting greater control over the new generation of Web-surfing devices.

Consolidated Thompson (CLM.TO), which is developing the Bloom Lake iron ore project in northern Quebec, said on Tuesday it has entered into an offtake and credit agreement with Korea's SK Networks (001740.KS).

Vanguard Group Inc, one of the largest mutual fund companies, agreed to pay $300,000 to settle a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit accusing it of racial bias in hiring.

GMAC Financial Services said on Tuesday that it expects to post a combined fourth-quarter loss of about $5 billion largely on charges related to the auto and home finance company's bid to write down or sell risky mortgage assets.

Calpers, the biggest U.S. public pension fund, said on Tuesday that unofficial election results show Kurato Shimada and Joseph 'J.J.' Jelincic winning member-at-large seats on its board.

President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that U.S. intelligence agencies had enough information to possibly thwart an attempt to destroy a jet bound for Detroit on Christmas day.

ESPN and Discovery Communications Inc both unveiled plans on Tuesday to launch 3-D television networks, reflecting a growing momentum in the entertainment industry to usher 3-D into the home.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose on Tuesday as better-than-expected factory orders and a surge in vehicle sales at Ford Motor Co provided more evidence of an economic recovery.

Ford Motor Co posted a 33 percent sales gain for December as U.S. auto sales ended 2009 on an upswing after a tumultuous year that saw GM and Chrysler collapse into bankruptcy and China overtake the United States as the biggest car market.

The Australian Dollar opens largely unchanged against the greenback on Wednesday at 0.9090.

(Corrects to show gain in Honda sales was nearly 25 percent, not 20 percent, in paragraph 6)

Google Inc took the wraps off the first of its smartphones on Tuesday, a device with speech recognition that it hopes can take on Apple's iPhone over time and help shore up the company's dominance in Internet advertising.

Google unveiled the Nexus One smartphone on Tuesday and showed off its many features during a press event, and unveiled its new Web store which will sell the device directly to customers. The Google Nexus comes unlocked to consumers who wish to purchase it online for $529, or $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile.

A day after the Tokyo Stock Exchange launched its new high-speed trading system, meant to capture the new need-for-speed in financial markets, U.S. exchanges were quick to tout how swift their systems are.

A casual comment by Doug Casey triggered my thoughts on how to get triple duty out of an atypical investment. My priorities are a little different because mothers focus on making money and being certain our families are taken care of, particularly when it comes to trifles like putting food on the table literally.

I have always taken it as a good thing that libertarians are detested by both the left and the right. To me it is proof positive that we libertarians are in the right.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose on Tuesday as better-than-expected factory orders and a surge in vehicle sales at Ford Motor Co provided more evidence of an economic recovery.

Americans scrapped more automobiles than they bought last year as the ragged economy reduced demand and some major cities expanded mass transit service, according to a new report.

Americans scrapped more automobiles than they bought last year as the ragged economy reduced demand and some major cities expanded mass transit service, according to a new report.

2009 is finally behind us, and the New Year's in full force - as evidenced by the solid rally that stocks are starting today. Here at the Penny Sleuth, we closed the year out strong with another shot at double-digit gains in just three trading days last week.

The benchmark S&P 500 closed at a fresh 15-month closing high on Tuesday as data showing that factory orders rose for a third straight month in November offset a report that pointed to more weakness in the housing market.

Google Inc took the wraps off of a new Web-enabled smartphone on Tuesday that the Internet giant will sell directly to consumers.

Workers at Chile's Altonorte smelter are close to reaching a wage deal with owner Xstrata to end a near week-long stoppage, union leaders said on Sunday.

Ford Motor Co posted a 33 percent sales gain for December as U.S. auto sales ended 2009 on an upswing after a tumultuous year that saw GM and Chrysler collapse into bankruptcy and China overtake the United States as the biggest car market.

Warren Buffett came out against Kraft's $16.8 billion hostile offer for Britain's Cadbury as a threat to shareholder value, undermining the U.S. foodmaker's attempt to woo investors with a sweeter bid.

Telecom equipment maker Nokia Siemens Networks is not planning an offer for U.S. gear maker Ciena Corp (CIEN.O), a source close to NSN said, despite market speculation of a deal.

The fiancée of deceased Cincinnati Bengals receiver, Chris Henry, said on ESPN he didn't try to kill himself when he jumped off the truck she was driving.

The Dow and Nasdaq slipped on Tuesday as a plunge in pending home sales increased concerns about the housing market a day after stocks rose to 15-month highs.

Google Inc, the Internet giant pushing to boost searches on mobile phones, launched its first online phone store today along with a new device from handset maker HTC equipped with Google software.