AFP - German retail sales fell by 1.4 percent in June from the previous month, provisional figures released on Friday by the national statistics office showed, confirming a slump in household consumption.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Thursday, led by Exxon Mobil after its earnings fell short of Wall Street's expectations and as disappointing economic data revived fears of a U.S. recession.

Reuters - British Airways' profit collapsed in the first quarter as high oil prices, an economic slowdown and weak consumer confidence combined in what the airline called the worst trading conditions it had ever experienced.

Reuters - General Motors Corp investors expect the No. 1 U.S. automaker to post a steep second-quarter loss on Friday, reflecting the pressure from a deepening downturn in the U.S. auto industry.

AP - The country didn't get the energetic rebound in economic growth hoped for from the government's tax rebates in the second quarter, and the economy jolted into reverse at the end of 2007, raising new recession fears.

Reuters - Standard & Poor's on Thursday cut ratings on all three major U.S. automakers deeper into junk status, citing expected losses due to higher gas prices and a weakening U.S. economy.

Reuters - The Dow industrials and the S&P 500 fell on Thursday as disappointing growth and employment data heightened concerns about the economy's health and the outlook for corporate profits.

Reuters - Exxon Mobil Corp broke its own record for the highest-ever quarterly profit for a U.S. company on Thursday, joining other major oil companies in posting stronger earnings on the back of sky-high oil prices.

Reuters - An emergency dose of government stimulus helped the economy grow at a 1.9 percent annual rate in the second quarter, a soft pace but enough to take it off a path perilously close to recession.

AP - Office supply retailers felt no relief from the pinch of weaker spending by consumers and small businesses, with both Office Depot and OfficeMax citing the struggling economy as they reported losses for the second quarter.