Stock futures point to weaker Wall St (Reuters)

Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) Stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower opening for U.S. shares on Wednesday, extending a decline from the previous session, as worries about the financial health of the euro zone's banks resurfaced. * At 0841 GMT futures for the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq were down between 0.1 and 0.2 percent.

Obama pitches spending and tax incentives in Ohio (Reuters)

Reuters - President Barack Obama will push billions of dollars in new business tax incentives and spending on big construction projects on Wednesday, as he tries to convince a balky Congress to pass measures intended to spur the economy and create jobs.

Japan's intervention hints fail to stop yen rally (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan's government sharpened its rhetoric on foreign exchange intervention on Wednesday as a rise in the yen to a 15-year high underlined concerns that the currency's strength could threaten the economic recovery.

Europe bank fears hit shares (Reuters)

Reuters - Asian stocks fell on Wednesday, led by shares in Japan's big exporters as a rise in the yen to a new 15-year high threatened to erode their overseas earnings.

Obama to pitch trio of economic proposals (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama is pitching a trio of economic proposals Wednesday in an effort to show the public he's taking action to spur economic growth.

Japan machinery orders up 8.8 percent in July (AP)

AP - Japan's machinery orders, a key gauge of future business investment, rose the most in seven months, a sign that companies are more confident in the economic recovery.

Asia stocks down on Europe debt worries, yen surge (AP)

AP - Most Asian stock markets slid Wednesday, pressured by the yen hitting a fresh 15-year high and new concerns about European banks after a report they may have more risky government debt than thought.

German exports slightly lower on month in July (AP)

AP - Official data show that German exports dipped by 1.5 percent in July compared with the previous month but were still up a strong 18.7 over the same month last year.

China-U.S. ties improving, Hu tells White House team (Reuters)

Reuters - China and the United States said on Wednesday that their sometimes rocky relationship is sounder after talks in Beijing, with both putting an optimistic face on ties that have been jolted by economic and security tensions.

Reid blames Bush, Wall Street for sick economy (AP)

AP - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid knows who's to blame for the sickly economy. And it's not him.

US provides relief for floods in Guatemala (AFP)

AFP - The United States said Tuesday it has requested 50,000 dollars in emergency aid for flood-hit Guatemala and reprogrammed another 4.38 million dollars in economic aid for recovery efforts.

Summary Box: Obama's tax-break plan no fast fix (AP)

AP - NO QUICK CURE: Even if they were enacted soon, President Barack Obama's proposed tax breaks for businesses would hardly be a fast fix to bolster hiring or the economy, analysts say.

Stocks fall as worries about European debt return (AP)

AP - Stocks closed lower Tuesday following new worries about Europe's debt problems. Treasury prices rose and gold settled at a new high as investors sought out safe assets.

Summary Box: Europe worries send stocks lower (AP)

AP - EUROPE AGAIN: Reports raising concerns about European banks sent stocks lower in Europe, and the U.S. followed suit. The worries are over how much risky government debt is being held on their books.

Interest rates dip at weekly Treasury auction (AP)

AP - Interest rates on short-term Treasury bills fell in Tuesday's auction to the lowest levels since late June.

A look at economic developments around the globe (AP)

AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Tuesday:

A look at economic developments around the globe (AP)

AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Tuesday:

Obama's tax-break plan is seen as no quick cure (AP)

AP - Even if they were enacted soon, President Barack Obama's proposed tax breaks for businesses would hardly be a quick fix to rejuvenate hiring or the economy, analysts say.

How the major stock indexes fared Tuesday (AP)

AP - Stocks closed lower Tuesday following new worries about Europe's debt problems. News reports said European banks may have more risky government debt on their books than was disclosed during "stress tests" earlier this year. That could mean fees from regulators and more capital-raising by the banks to bolster their balance sheets.

Grim outlook for Democrats puts House up for grabs (AP)

AP - Their control of the House in peril, Democrats are playing defense all across the country. Disgruntled voters, a sluggish economy and vanishing enthusiasm for President Barack Obama have put 75 seats or more - the vast majority held by Democrats - at risk of changing hands.

Suddenly, a raft of tax-break proposals from Obama (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama's proposed tax breaks for business sound like ideas that have enjoyed broad Republican backing in the past. But in today's toxic political atmosphere, he's unlikely to get much — if any — GOP help.

Summary Box: Worried investors turn to gold (AP)

AP - SEEKING SAFETY: Gold settled at a record high Tuesday as more worries resurfaced about European banks and the global economy.

Gold settles at record high amid economic fears (AP)

AP - Gold prices settled at a record high Tuesday following renewed worries about European banks and the global economy.

Bullish or Bearish? The World's Greatest Investors Debate. (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - The bears and bulls were battling as ferociously as ever over the past month. Let's dive right into the debate, through the words of some of the world's greatest investors.

Summary Box: Obama to push for business tax breaks (AP)

AP - NEW MOVES TO AID ECONOMY: President Barack Obama will call on Congress to pass new tax breaks for businesses, a move aimed at spurring more economic growth and job creation.

NYSE Euronext in joint venture on carbon trading (AP)

AP - NYSE Euronext said Tuesday it plans to combine its European carbon trading unit with a U.S. firm to expand its environmental energy business.

Ex-budget chief differs with Obama on U.S. tax cuts (Reuters)

Reuters - Tax cuts should be extended for all Americans to help spur the economy, but even the middle-class cuts should end in two years, former U.S. budget director Peter Orszag said on Tuesday.

SEC probes "quote stuffing" practices: Schapiro (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. regulators are probing certain practices around "quote stuffing," where large numbers of rapid-fire stock orders are placed and canceled almost immediately, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro said on Tuesday.

Congress Republicans wary of Obama economy plan (Reuters)

Reuters - Republicans in Congress showed little willingness to help President Barack Obama approve $350 billion worth of measures to boost the economy with midterm elections less than two months away.

Small investors quitting Wall Street: SEC boss (AFP)

AFP - The head of the US stock market watchdog said on Tuesday that individual investors have been turning away from equities since a May crash that exposed weaknesses in Wall Street's trading structure.

Small investors quitting Wall Street: SEC boss (AFP)

AFP - The head of the US stock market watchdog said on Tuesday that individual investors have been turning away from equities since a May crash that exposed weaknesses in Wall Street's trading structure.

NY AG Cuomo strikes student credit-card reform agreement (Reuters)

Reuters - The State University of New York has adopted new practices to help prevent students from falling victim to deceptive credit card marketing that can burden them with too much debt in tough economic times.

FTSE 100 closes lower (AFP)

AFP - London shares declined on Tuesday with weaknesses in the US market taking effect as Wall Street traders returned from a long holiday weekend.

SEC's Schapiro: "Flash crash" report expected by month end (Reuters)

Reuters - The top U.S. securities regulator said on Tuesday that the follow-up report on what might have caused the May "flash crash" is expected by the end of September.

NYSE August US equity trading volume up 30 percent (AP)

AP - NYSE Euronext said Tuesday the trading volume for equity and derivative produces rose significantly in August, pushed up by a spike in U.S. equity trading.

European stocks fall, miners down on Australia vote (AFP)

AFP - Europe's main stock markets slid on Tuesday after a run of gains, with miners hit by the electoral result in Australia ahead of Wall Street's reopening after a US public holiday, traders said.

AIG seeks Sept 21 approval for AIA IPO: sources (Reuters)

Reuters - American International Group Inc plans to seek Hong Kong listing committee approval on September 21, to list its Asian life insurance unit, aiming to raise about $15 billion, two sources with direct knowledge of the deal said on Tuesday.

SEC sees surge in fraud tip-offs: report (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has seen a surge in tip-offs concerning alleged corporate fraud as the Financial Reforms Act offers millions of dollars in bounty payments to whistleblowers, the Wall Street Journal said.

World stocks gain, dollar falls (AFP)

AFP - Global stock markets rose and the dollar fell on Monday as investors further digested better-than-expected US jobs data which reduced prospects of a return to recession.

Bad credit? For corporate borrowers, not a problem (AP)

AP - With rising fears of a prolonged recession and stomach-churning moves in the stock market, corporate bond markets have performed so well this year they look like they're part of a parallel universe.