Business
Waterford doubles its operating loss in 1H
The struggling Irish glassware maker Waterford Crystal said Thursday that its operating losses have more than doubled and it faces daunting challenges.
Philip Morris wetlands filter wastewater
It started with the gnats. Then came the dragonflies and mice.
Group will reevaluate Nintendo Wii component
An environmental group that put out a list of chemical-laden toys is reevaluating one component of the Nintendo Wii which tested positive for bromine, the group said Thursday.
Stimulus package lifts Argentine stocks higher
Argentine stocks rose on the government's announcement of an economic stimulus package, while other Latin American markets were flat in midday trading Thursday.
Heineken to shut Beamish brewery in Ireland
Dutch brewing giant Heineken NV announced Thursday it is closing one of Ireland's oldest breweries, Beamish & Crawford in the city of Cork, just weeks after taking control of the operation.
SEC head: gov't rescue plan needs 'exit strategy'
The top U.S. securities regulator said Thursday the government must start to build an "exit strategy" that includes taxpayer protections for its massive financial rescue plan.
Boot Knut: Berlin's star polar bear faces eviction
Knut the superstar polar bear turns two on Friday looking nothing like the button-eyed ball of white fluff who captured hearts around the world.
Flood washes away some qualms over barrier project
The luxury Bauer hotel was inundated by calls of concern and cancellations this week - but was spared the floodwaters that swamped most of the city.
Ecuador renews default threats
Ecuador's finance minister is insisting the nation will not pay off foreign debts it considers illegal, with a $30.6 million payment due on Dec. 15.
Scripps puts Rocky Mountain News up for sale
The Rocky Mountain News, Colorado's oldest newspaper, was put up for sale Thursday after its owner, E.W. Scripps Co., said it lost about $11 million on the business in the first nine months of the year.
Ryanair strengthens sales pitch for Aer Lingus
Ryanair dramatically strengthened its sales pitch Thursday for rival Aer Lingus, offering key assurances to the airline's two other major shareholders in hopes of persuading them to sell their stakes.
FDIC's Bair warns investors fighting loan changes
Investors in mortgage securities who are challenging home loan modification programs aimed at avoiding foreclosures could provoke a "backlash" from Congress, the head of the FDIC said Thursday.
China tells US to get economy in order
China promised more currency reform to ease trade tensions but told Washington to get its own economy in order as the two sides opened high-level economic talks Thursday amid a global financial crisis.
ECB cuts rates, following BoE, Swedish Riksbank
Europe's central banks slashed borrowing costs aggressively Thursday to try and ward off a long recession triggered by the financial crisis.
Czech carmaker Skoda to stay closed till Jan 2009
Czech carmaker Skoda Auto AS, a unit of Germany's Volkswagen AG, said Thursday it will not start production in the new year until January 11 because of falling demand, an official said.
Mortgage rates drop to lowest level since January
Rates on 30-year mortgages plunged this week to the lowest level since January after the government launched a sweeping new effort to aid the U.S. housing market.
Kashkari: Rescue fund needs flexibility, firepower
The head of the government's financial system rescue effort said the program must maintain adequate resources and flexibility to deal with unexpected challenges.
Bernanke: more action needed to cut foreclosures
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke called on the government Thursday to ramp up efforts to stem soaring home foreclosures, which are feeding into the country's deep economic troubles.
World markets lower ahead of key US jobs data
Europe's stock markets closed modestly lower Thursday, despite hefty interest rate cuts across the continent. Wall Street fell amid further grim corporate and economic news ahead of Friday's crucial U.S. jobs report for November.
Sanofi-Aventis to cut US sales jobs
French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA is cutting an unspecified number of U.S. sales jobs as part of a realignment of its marketing.