AP - The stimulus checks are working. A big increase in retail sales signaled that people are spending their rebate payments, helping to ward off a serious economic slump, at least for now.

AFP - The dollar firmed Thursday as a stronger-than-expected reading of US retail sales eased fears about a sharp US economic slump and traders braced for a meeting of G8 finance ministers.

AP - Damien Barilko, co-founder of the Paris electric bike company Velocito, said sky-high gas prices have finally succeeded where environmentalists and governments have failed: persuading motorists to go green.

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.