Wall Street drifted to a slightly higher finish today as investors shied away from taking new positions in a holiday-shortened week. Despite the market’s languid tone, Google Inc. surpassed $500 for the first time.

Wall Street drifted to a slightly higher finish today as investors shied away from taking new positions in a holiday-shortened week. Despite the market's languid tone, Google Inc. surpassed $500 for the first time.

Wall Street extended its November rally today, carrying the Dow Jones industrials to a new trading high as investors anticipated a business-friendly outcome of the US congressional elections and bought stocks across the market.

Wall Street managed a tiny gain today, enough to give the Dow Jones industrial average another record close, after the Federal Reserve stoked some fears of inflation pressures but implied that it is not intent on raising interest rates.

Search crews were lowered by ropes from helicopters through dense jungle searched the wreckage of a Brazilian jetliner that apparently clipped an executive jet and slammed into the ground in the Amazon rain forest, probably killing all 155 people aboard.

Stocks in the United States rebounded today with the Dow Jones industrial average climbing more than 110 points.

The European Union has imposed $9.1m (€7.2m) in additional retaliatory sanctions against the US in response to antidumping measures meant to protect US companies.

Upbeat earnings and a broker’s upgrade of General Motors drove stocks higher in the United States today as the latest round of data assured investors that the economy remains in good shape.

US stocks closed mixed today as sagging energy prices and a strong advance by Honeywell International Inc. sent the Dow Jones industrials higher, but downgrades of Apple Computer Inc. dragged the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite lower.

US stocks fell moderately today as investors found little reason to extend a year-end buying spree.

US Airways Group Inc has ordered 20 Airbus A350 planes honouring its promise to buy the fuel-efficient aircraft aimed at trans-Atlantic flights as part of a financing deal for the airline’s acquisition by America West Airlines.

European Union defence ministers adopted a plan today to open up their €30bn arms industry to increased cross-border competition – a landmark move designed to cut costs for tight military budgets.

US President George W. Bush today called on China to expand religious, political and social freedoms and urged steps to reduce Beijing’s huge trade surplus with the US.

Wall Street ended a erratic quarter with a modest advance today as falling oil prices helped ease concerns about a weakening consumer environment following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

A 16,200-acre wildfire burned out of control early today in the hills and canyons along Los Angeles’ northwestern edge, despite the efforts of thousands of firefighters who held out hope that the weather was on their side.

Stocks fluctuated before closing modestly higher today as oil prices neared $66 a barrel despite lower-than-expected damage estimates from Hurricane Rita.

Wall Street had a surge of optimism today, sending stocks higher after investors interpreted a Federal Reserve report on the economy as a sign that the Fed’s year-long string of interest rate hikes may be nearing an end.

Disappointed investors sent stocks tumbling today after the Federal Reserve said it would keep to its policy of raising interest rates at a ”measured” pace.

The Bush administration said today it would bring a trade case alleging the European Unionis providing illegal subsidies to Airbus, the major competitor to US-based Boeing Co.

The European Union has made a new offer to the US to cut government aid to Airbus in a bid to resolve the simmering dispute over subsidies to the European aeroplane maker and its US rival Boeing, an EU official said today.

Stocks rose today as encouraging signs of economic growth eased investors’ fears of a business slowdown.

Stocks in the United States stumbled to a mixed finish today as the Federal Reserve kept to its policy of gradual interest rate rises but signalled increased concerns about inflation.

Stocks tottered higher today as a slide in oil prices and upbeat earnings news eclipsed an unexpectedly steep drop in durable goods orders that raised questions about the strength of the economy.

The Airbus’ A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, took off successfully on its maiden flight today, a milestone for aviation and for the European aircraft-maker’s battle with American rival Boeing.

Investors welcomed a lower-than-expected drop in wholesale prices and sent stocks higher today, ending a troubled week on Wall Street on a positive note.

Investors pushed stocks substantially higher today as Wall Street greeted the Oracle-PeopleSoft merger and a climb in retail sales as signs of continued economic improvement.

Stocks rose sharply on the New York Stock Exchange today, extending their rally for a second session as investors expressed relief over plummeting oil prices following a government report that showed a build in crude inventories.

Wall Street posted a healthy advance today as consumer confidence surged to a 22-month high and quelled investor concerns about the economy a day before the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.

Investors received some reassurance about inflation and the economy from Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan today – and sent stocks higher as the market’s interest rates worries ebbed.

Technology shares sank today on disappointing news from Intel, briefly pushing the Nasdaq composite index into negative territory for the year despite a brighter forecast from wireless equipment maker Qualcomm.

THE crash of an Air Algerie passenger jet that killed 102 people in the Sahara Desert was probably caused