Reuters - U.S. oil hit a record over $95 a
barrel on Wednesday, posting the biggest gain in 10 months
after a steep drop in U.S. inventories fueled winter supply
concerns and the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates.

AFP - The US economy grew by a robust 3.9 percent in the third quarter despite tight credit that is deepening a housing slump, as consumers regained their appetite for spending, the government said Wednesday.

Reuters - MetLife Inc , the largest U.S.
life insurer, said on Wednesday net earnings per share were
barely changed for the third quarter as it suffered investment
losses, but operating net beat analysts’ estimates.

Reuters - The Federal Reserve cut interest
rates by a quarter-percentage point on Wednesday to buffer the
economy from a housing downturn, but suggested further rate
reductions were far from a sure bet.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday, buoyed by
both the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cut and its view that
credit market strains have eased somewhat and by reports
showing surprising strength in economic growth and employment.

Reuters - Sprint Nextel Corp , the No. 3
U.S. mobile service, is in talks to put applications from Web
search leader Google Inc on its cell phones, a person
familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

AP - A lesson about investing might seem as appealing to young people as eating a bowlful of spinach. Mutual funds that cater to children aim to make the whole process sweeter.

AFP - Fourteen children working in a textiles factory have been rescued after media reports said an Indian clothing supplier to US retailer Gap was employing underage workers, an activist said Tuesday.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday, with all
three major indexes up more than 1 percent, sharply rebounding
from an initial decline following the Federal Reserve’s cut in
interest rates by 25 basis points, as expected.

Reuters - The Federal Reserve cut interest
rates on Wednesday, but said the risk of inflation was roughly
equal to downside risks to growth, suggesting further rate
reductions are far from a sure bet.