AP - General Motors Corp., pummeled by falling U.S. sales and high gas prices, lost the global sales lead to Toyota Motor Corp. in the first half of this year, but the churning market makes it difficult to predict which automaker will end the year on top.

AFP - Factories in the 15 nations sharing the euro saw demand pull back more sharply than expected in May, official EU data showed on Wednesday.

AP - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Wednesday that agreement on a sweeping housing rescue bill will send a strong message to investors around the world and will be key to helping the nation turn the corner on the housing crisis.

Reuters - The U.S. stock market would fare better in the first year after a victory by Republican presidential candidate John McCain than by his Democratic rival Barack Obama, according to a majority of economists at U.S. banks and research groups polled by Reuters.

Reuters - The pace of U.S. economic activity slowed somewhat through mid-July and price pressures were elevated or increasing across the country, the U.S. Federal Reserve said on Wednesday in a report showing evidence of inflation warning signs across the country.

AP - The country slogged through slower economic growth and rising prices during the summer, packing a double whammy to people and businesses alike.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday as financial shares climbed on hopes lawmakers will approve the rescue plan for mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the price of oil fell.

AP - Oil prices resumed their slide Wednesday after the government reported U.S. gasoline supplies rose more than expected as the weak economy eats into demand.

AFP - US economic activity appears to have slowed to a crawl in the past weeks even as price pressures intensified, the Federal Reserve said in its Beige Book report Wednesday.

AP - With the cost of everything from air conditioning to whipped cream rising, many restaurants have been raising prices. LongHorn Steakhouse is passing on part of the tab to its servers.

AP - General Motors Corp., pummeled by falling U.S. sales and high gas prices, lost the global sales lead to Toyota Motor Corp. in the first half of this year, but the churning market makes it difficult to predict which automaker will end the year on top.

AP - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson spent another day stumping for the U.S. banking system, declaring Tuesday that his top priority was ensuring "stability and confidence in our markets and financial institutions."