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The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell sharply last week, while the number of those on continued benefits was the lowest since December 2008, a government report showed on Thursday.

Sales of newly built homes fell for a fourth straight month to a record low in February, but another rise in new orders for durable goods offered assurance the economic recovery was on course.

Stocks fell on Wednesday, threatening to end a string of gains, after Fitch Ratings cut Portugal's credit rating on deficit concerns in the latest sign of worsening sovereign debt problems in Europe.

Sales of newly built U.S. single-family homes fell for a fourth straight month to a record low in February, a government report showed on Wednesday, heightening fears of renewed weakness in the housing market.

Wall Street was poised to open lower on Wednesday after Portugal was downgraded one notch on budget concerns, amplifying jitters about the sovereign debt troubles of some European countries.

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

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell less than expected in February, according to a trade group report on Tuesday that underscored the fragile nature of the housing market's recovery.

lifts pose an injury risk, especially for the elderly, who need to take special care when using them, a research done from Indiana University School of Medicine in the United States.

Food Corporation of India, the government monolith for the execution of the food policies of the country, has been come under close scrutiny at the recently held international wheat seminar. According to the Union Ministry of Food, the FCI is the main government agency responsible for execution of the food policies of India. When FCI carries unconscionable levels of rice and wheat stocks, there is a smug feeling in the government circles that everything is under control, including prices.

Wall Street was set to open lower on Monday as investor risk aversion was revived by concerns over Greece's debt crisis and the passage of sweeping healthcare reform.

Graco is recalling 1.2 million highchairs because they pose a fall hazard to children, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Thursday.

Wheat production in Germany, Europe's second largest producer, is expected to fall this season due to wet weather conditions. According to DRV farm co-operatives association, German winter wheat harvest, essentially all the crop, will fall by 1.3% to 24.59 million tones. The DRV currently expects no record harvest, but good average yields, the co-operative said.

Japan's Nikkei average edged lower on Thursday, slipping from a two-month high hit the previous day, as recent gainers including Canon and real estate shares such as Mitsui Fudosan retreated.

U.S. producer prices in February posted their biggest fall in seven months as energy costs tumbled, validating the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates very low on evidence of tame inflation.

U.S. producer prices in February posted their biggest fall in seven months as energy costs tumbled, validating the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates very low on evidence of tame inflation.

Producer prices fell more steeply than expected in February, posting their biggest drop in seven months as energy costs tumbled, according to a government report on Wednesday that pointed to scant inflation pressures.

Housing starts and permits to build new homes both fell in February as winter storms in some parts of the country disrupted home building, a government report showed on Tuesday.

Stock futures point towards a lower opening on Monday as market participants wait Senator Chris Dodd's financial reform bill and digest comments made by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao about the yuan.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell only slightly last week, indicating a sluggish return to jobs growth. The U.S. trade gap shrank as oil imports fell.

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as U.S. jobless claims fell less than expected and inflation in China rose to a 16-month high, raising worries about money tightening in one of the world's largest economies.

The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell slightly less than expected last week, hinting at a slow labor market recovery.