Reuters - Stocks tumbled on Wednesday, posting their biggest losses in two weeks, amid fears the U.S. economy faces 1980s-style stagflation after the Federal Reserve slashed its economic growth forecasts while raising estimates for inflation.

Reuters - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index ended a volatile session more than 250 points lower on Wednesday, as profit-taking hit energy issues, sparking a broad late-day selloff following recent record highs.

AP - Wall Street pitched lower for the second straight session Wednesday as record-high oil prices and a bleak economic assessment from the Federal Reserve deepened investors' worry about rising costs and a shaky employment picture. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 227 points, logging its widest two-day loss since late February.

Reuters - Oil prices surged more than $3 to a record near $133 a barrel on Wednesday after a U.S. government report showed a surprise drop in crude stockpiles, reinvigorating fears of a worsening supply crunch.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Wednesday as record crude oil prices and comments from the Federal Reserve fueled concerns about inflation and cutbacks in non-essential consumer spending.

Reuters - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index sagged 100 points on Wednesday afternoon in a see-saw session, while shares in the material and banking sectors fell.

AP - Wall Street extended its sharp decline Wednesday, driving the Dow Jones industrials down more than 190 points as investors smarted from record-high oil prices and a bleak economic assessment from the Federal Reserve.

AP - Wall Street declined Wednesday as oil's stubborn climb and questions regarding debt ratings kept investors' jitters alive as they awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting.

AP - Wall Street extended its decline Wednesday as oil's stubborn climb kept investors' inflation jitters alive, and as questions arose regarding potential errors in debt ratings.

AFP - A woman who survived on rainwater and a man fed via a straw were Tuesday pulled out of the rubble eight days after China's earthquake but hopes faded for others as the death toll topped 40,000.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets rallied on Wednesday when shares in oil majors such as Royal Dutch Shell were boosted by record high prices for crude nearing 130 dollars a barrel, dealers said.

Reuters - Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, former chief executive of American International Group Inc , may face civil charges for his alleged role to improperly boost the insurer's financials, a spokesman for Greenberg said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Oil prices surged more than $3 to a record above $132 a barrel on Wednesday after a U.S. government report showed a surprise drop in crude stockpiles, reinvigorating fears of a worsening supply crunch.