Stocks fell for a third day today after disappointing reports on manufacturing and home sales further dampened enthusiasm about the state of the economy.

Stock prices pared earlier gains to end a choppy day relatively flat today as Wall Street remained uncertain that a 17.4 billion-dollar(€12.5 billion) lifeline for US carmakers will make a lasting difference for the beleaguered industry.

BLACKBERRY handhelds have been called addictive, invasive, wonderful — and now, a threat to French state secrets.

French defence experts are advising government officials to avoid using BlackBerry handheld computers because of fears that secrets could be put at risk.

APPLE chief executive Steve Jobs can start selling the iPhone in the US in June as planned after agreeing to share the name with Cisco Systems and averting a court case.

Newly optimistic investors sent stocks sharply higher today, propelling the Dow Jones industrials 112 points higher as new economic data showed strength in manufacturing.