At least three major grocery store chains in the United States are recalling certain packages of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination.

Wall Street rallied for a second straight session today after easing wage pressures and stronger-than-expected service sector activity raised prospects that the US economy could cool gradually and leave room for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates next year.

Profit-taking sent stocks modestly lower in the United States today after oil prices topped US$55 (€41.21) a barrel and a disappointing earnings update from Texas Instruments Inc cast fresh doubts on the tech sector.

LABOUR disputes struck hard across southern California yesterday, leaving hundreds of thousands of commuters stranded, grocery shoppers inconvenienced and county jails and courts threatened with closure.