IBT Staff Reporter

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, opening the country's top business forum, said on Friday the global economy had avoided the worst but warned participants it was too early to celebrate recovery.

Judges in the trial of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday delayed her final hearing until the end of next week and postponed ruling on whether to allow three barred defense witnesses to testify.

General Motors Corp has reached a preliminary agreement to sell its Saturn brand to Penske Automotive Group in a deal that could preserve more than 350 dealerships and 13,000 jobs, the companies said on Friday.

Airbus has warned airline crews to follow standard procedures if they suspect speed indicators are faulty, suggesting that technical malfunction may have played a role in this week's Air France crash.

Steve Jobs is on track to return to the helm of Apple this month after nearly six months of medical leave, according a report in The Wall Street Journal that cited unnamed sources.

U.S. stocks rose in choppy trading on Friday as investors grappled with conflicting monthly jobs data, with the Dow industrials boosted after Wal-Mart said it was buying back more of its shares.

Nonfarm employment fell 345,000 with smaller declines in many sectors. Smaller job losses are consistent with our expectations for growth in the second half of this year. Aggregate hours declined again reaffirming negative economic growth forecasts for the second quarter. Unemployment rates indicate more household credit stress.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s board of directors has approved a new $15 billion share repurchase program, the firm announced Friday.

India’s Kaspersky Lab on Thursday said its 2009 all-in one Kaspersky Internet Security is now available for download and purchase.

President Barack Obama expressed hope on Friday of making serious progress this year in Middle East peacemaking and said Israelis and Palestinians had to get serious about making tough compromises.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown backed down from replacing his finance minister on Friday in a bid to hold his government together and end a political crisis that has knocked sterling.

World stocks and oil prices extended gains and government bonds tumbled on Friday after closely-watched data showed the U.S. economy lost a fewer-than-expected 345,000 jobs in May.

U.S. employers cut 345,000 jobs last month, the fewest since September and far less than forecast, according to a government report on Friday that was more evidence the economy's severe weakness was diminishing.

World stocks rose toward this week's 7-1/2 month high on Friday as resource stocks rallied after oil prices surged past $69 a barrel and optimism grew about an improving U.S. labor market ahead of key jobs data.

U.S. non-farm payroll jobs likely fell by their smallest amount in seven months in May, pointing to a slackening of the recession, but the unemployment

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's annual meeting got under way on Friday amid raucous cheers as the world's largest retailer celebrates the gains it has made expanding its business despite a global economic downturn that has roiled competitors.

Bank of America Corp Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis has been asked to testify before a congressional committee about when the bank became aware of deteriorating conditions late last year at Merrill Lynch & Co, which prompted a federal bailout.

U.S. stocks trimmed gains on Friday as investors wrestled with mixed news on the labor market, derailing an earlier bounce.

U.S. employers cut 345,000 jobs last month, the fewest since September and far less than forecast, according to a government report on Friday that was the most definitive evidence the economy's severe weakness was diminishing.

Oil hit a seven-month high above $70 per barrel on Friday after much better-than-expected U.S. employment data pushed stock markets higher.

Rio Tinto dumped plans for a landmark investment from China on Friday, opting instead to raise $21 billion through a rights issue and a joint venture with one-time suitor BHP Billiton.

U.S. lawmakers expect to introduce legislation next week that would reverse a Bush era law exempting a controversial drilling practice from federal oversight, possibly driving up costs and curtailing the development of vast amounts of unconventional energy.

Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs is on track to return to the company from his medical leave of absence as planned, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person who had seen Jobs in recent weeks.

U.S. employers cut 345,000 jobs last month, the fewest since September and far less than forecast, according to a government report on Friday that was the most definitive evidence the economy's severe weakness was diminishing.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's annual meeting got under way on Friday amid raucous cheers as the world's largest retailer celebrates the gains it has made expanding its business despite a global economic downturn.

U.S. employers cut 345,000 jobs last month, the fewest since September and far less than forecast, according to a government report on Friday that was the most definitive evidence the economy's severe weakness was diminishing.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a sharply higher open on Friday as surprising May jobs data provided the most definitive evidence the recession was easing.

A little-known Chinese heavy machinery maker could face a bumpy road ahead in its quest to buy General Motors' Hummer brand, facing pitfalls ranging from regulatory to financing issues.

It could save the rainforests of Borneo, slow climate change and the international community backs it. But a plan to pay tropical countries not to chop down trees risks being discredited by opportunists even before it starts.