Reuters - InBev NV has launched a $46.3 billion bid to buy Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc as it seeks to create the world's largest brewer with the biggest ever takeover of an alcoholic drinks company.

AFP - Shares in British bank HBOS, the nation's biggest home loan provider, plunged by more than 11 percent on Wednesday after it attempted to reassure investors about its planned rights issue and trading.

AP - The economy remained "generally weak" heading into summer as rising costs for energy and food pounded consumers and forced some companies to push their own prices higher.

Reuters - A steady rise in energy prices has fueled an inflationary psychology in the United States and could be a problem if it does not reverse, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Stocks were solidly lower on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve's Beige Book said economic activity was generally weak in late April and early June 2, adding to concerns about a surge in oil prices and further financial sector losses.

Reuters - Bank of America Corp Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis said Wednesday he remains committed to buying Countrywide Financial Corp , the giant money-losing mortgage lender, but acknowledged that the nearly year-long global credit crisis still has "a ways to go."

Reuters - U.S. businesses were able to raise prices for consumers in some areas even as the economy weakened, the Federal Reserve said in a report on Wednesday showing higher energy and commodity prices are causing inflation pressures.

Reuters - Toymakers, manufacturers and retailers shrugged off soaring temperatures and flocked to the 2008 Licensing International Expo, some showing off hit brands, and others vying for rights to use them.

Reuters - Yahoo Inc's board of directors came under increasing pressure over an employee severance plan on Tuesday, with shareholders suing the company demanding a swift trial and investor Carl Icahn threatening to hold the board "personally liable" for approving it.

Reuters - French holiday resort operator Club Mediterranee is trading well and will be profitable in the current fiscal year, its chief executive told Le Figaro newspaper.

Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) said on Wednesday its battery joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co (6752.T) will start full-scale production of lithium-ion batteries in 2010 as it aims to roll out more electricity-driven cars over the next few years.

Reuters - Lehman Brothers almost struck a deal with Korean financial institutions as part of raising $6 billion in capital, and may yet arrange one by the end of the year, the Financial Times reported on its website on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.