Reuters - Flooding rivers across Iowa forced residents to evacuate, closed businesses, wrecked stores and shut down highways and barge traffic, authorities said on Thursday.

AP - Wall Street gave up a big early advance as the price of oil rose Thursday, with stocks closing moderately higher but also demonstrating how anxious investors are about inflation and the overall health of the economy. Bond prices fell sharply and yields shot higher in response to an upbeat retail sales report.

Reuters - Total sales at U.S. retailers rose a full percentage point in May as many consumers had more spending cash in their wallets from government rebate checks, a report on Thursday showed.

Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week while those remaining on benefit rolls hit a four-year high, the government said on Thursday.

AFP - US retail sales surged a stronger-than-expected 1.0 percent in May as Americans splurged out more on gasoline and goods, a government report showed Thursday.

AP - Retail sales jumped by the largest amount in six months in May as 57 million economic stimulus payments helped offset the headwinds buffeting consumers.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Thursday after government data showed a sharp increase in retail sales last month, calming worries about the profit outlook, while news of a $46 billion takeover bid for brewer Anheuser-Busch boosted optimism about share valuations.

Reuters - U.S. cities that have long promoted bicycle use by commuters are now seeing a steady rise in the popularity of pedal power as gasoline prices soar.

AP - A dose of good economic news and a buyout offer for Anheuser-Busch Cos. gave Wall Street a rebound Thursday, sending the Dow Jones industrials jumping more than 120 points. Treasury prices fell, driving yields higher, as investors returned to stocks.

AP - Oil prices fell Thursday as the dollar moved higher and forced crude to lose some of its appeal as a hedge against inflation. Gas prices reached another record at the pump, rising to a national average of $4.06 a gallon, and are likely to keep rising.