AP - China's official news agency says officials worried that a lake could burst have ordered 1.3 million people to evacuate in Sichuan province.

Reuters - U.S. gasoline futures soared to a new intraday record on Thursday after the U.S. government said gasoline stocks fell last week by a much larger-than-expected amount.

AP - A stockpile of chemicals being used to disinfect an earthquake-shattered Chinese town ignited Thursday and injured scores of soldiers doing relief work, adding to a day of problems for urgent recovery efforts.

Reuters - Stocks rallied on Thursday as a $4 drop in oil soothed inflation fears, while an upward revision in a broad measure of U.S. economic growth suggested a recession may be avoided.

AP - Stocks bounded higher Thursday after the government reported that the economy grew last quarter at a faster pace than previously estimated and as oil prices retreated. The Dow Jones industrials at times rose more than 100 points.

Reuters - U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as a report pointing to stronger business spending boosted shares of blue-chip computer firms and heavy equipment makers, overshadowing the latest signs of turmoil in the financial sector.

AP - Wall Street managed to finish an erratic session with a moderate gain Wednesday as investors found some comfort in upbeat data on durable goods orders.

AFP - South Korea's government on Thursday dismissed rumours of the death of North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-Il as baseless after they swirled through stock markets.

AP - Stocks pulled back modestly Wednesday as a rebound in oil prices sapped an early rally brought by an upbeat durable goods orders report.

Reuters - Stocks fell in choppy trading on Wednesday as renewed fears about the health of the financial sector overshadowed stronger-than-expected data on business investment that suggested an improving economy.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Tuesday, led by Apple Inc and other technology bellwethers, as investors bet that a sharp drop in oil prices will help shore up consumer and business spending.

AP - Wall Street advanced in uneven trading Tuesday after a drop in oil prices and an unexpected gain in new home sales encouraged investors to put money back into the market.

Reuters - Britain's Defense Minister Des Browne endorsed peace talks between Pakistan and Taliban militants on Wednesday despite concerns from Afghanistan that the talks will allow the Taliban to regroup and launch more attacks.

AFP - Europe's main stocks market slid on Tuesday as oil prices rallied towards record highs and investors awaited the return of action on Wall Street following a long holiday weekend in the United States.