OECD says another global recession is unlikely as it trims growth forecasts. The global economic recovery could be slower than previously anticipated but a return to recession is unlikely, a leading international economic body said Thursday.

BANGALORE (Reuters) - U.S. retailer Toys R Us, which has filed for an initial public offering, said it plans to open about 600 temporary stores in malls and shopping centers nationwide, doubling the number of store locations for the holiday season.

LONDON (Reuters) - British Members of Parliament (MPs) will next week grill outgoing BP Plc Chief Executive Tony Hayward, as part of an investigation into risks around deepwater drilling in the North Sea.

Stock futures climb as investors expect weekly unemployment report to show claims fell. Stock prices were set to continue their rally Thursday as investors prepare for a new report that is expected to show unemployment claims fell for the third straight week.

LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England kept interest rates at 0.5 percent for the 18th month in a row and announced no new quantitative easing purchases, in a widely expected decision on Thursday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures rose for a sixth day in seven on Thursday ahead of weekly data that was expected to show a tick down in applications for unemployment insurance.

US falls to 4th place in competitivness ranking behind Switzerland, Sweden and Singapore. The U.S. has slipped down the ranks of competitive economies, falling behind Sweden and Singapore due to huge deficits and pessimism about government, a global economic group said Thursday.

Gov't forecast: Moderate spending increase as 32 million gain coverage under health overhaul. The nation's health care tab will go up ? not down ? as a result of President Barack Obama's sweeping overhaul. That's the conclusion of a government forecast released Thursday, which also finds the increase will be modest.

Japan, India to sign trade pact that will scrap tariffs on 94 percent of exports over 10 years. Japan said Thursday it plans to sign a free trade pact with India that will scrap tariffs on 94 percent of traded goods over 10 years.

Bank of England holds rates steady, leaves asset purchase program on hold. The Bank of England says it is holding interest rates steady at a record low of 0.5 percent for the 18th consecutive month amid growing fears about a double-dip recession.

Spain passes job reforms aimed at overcoming high unemployment, big deficit. Spain gave final approval Thursday to labor market reforms designed to shake up a listless economy and help slash a bloated deficit that has prompted European-wide worries of another Greek-style debt crisis.

Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) will launch a low-cost carrier operating both international and domestic short-haul routes, anticipating booming Asian travel demand, the airline said Thursday.

Oil prices rose slightly on Thursday as the market awaited key inventory data from the United States -- the world's biggest consumer of energy.

Global equities rose and the dollar steadied against the euro on Thursday amid renewed confidence in the economy and as markets awaited US jobs data and a British interest rate decision.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - National Australia Bank's (NAB) <NAB.AX> $12 billion bid for AXA Asia Pacific <AXA.AX> has been blocked for a second time, dashing its efforts to cement its lead in the world's fourth-largest wealth management market.

A British watchdog hit the iconic but controversial Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs with a huge fine of 17.5 million pounds on Thursday, for information failures tied to US fraud charges.

Sales by German luxury car maker BMW gained 12.5 percent in August from the level 12 months earlier owing to strong demand in China, the group said Thursday as it retained the title of world leader in the sector.

German inflation slowed slightly in August, official data confirmed on Thursday, though wages could begin to pick up in Europe's biggest economy as it pursues its economic recovery.

PARIS (Reuters) - Global recovery looks to be slowing more than expected as growth weakens in rich economies, and stimulus should be extended or stepped up if the slowdown endures, the OECD said on Thursday.

Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) will launch a low-cost carrier operating both international and domestic short-haul routes, anticipating booming Asian travel demand, the airline said Thursday.

A British watchdog hit the iconic but controversial Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs with a huge fine of 17.5 million pounds in a statement on Thursday, for information failures tied to US fraud charges.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's financial watchdog slapped a 17.5 million pounds ($27 million) fine on Goldman Sachs on Thursday for inadequate disclosure of a U.S. probe into the Wall Street powerhouse.

LONDON (Reuters) - Lloyds Banking Group <LLOY.L> has agreed to sell its stake in housebuilder Crest Nicholson, as the bailed-out British bank sheds non-core assets to refocus on its core lending activities.

Hyundai shows off South Korea's first electric car as president takes test drive. Hyundai Motor unveiled its first electric car Thursday ? the BlueOn ? as it moves to catch up with Japanese rivals that have jumped ahead in the field.

Oil hovers near $75 in Asia after report shows US crude supplies drop more than expected. Oil prices hovered near $75 a barrel Thursday in Asia after a report showed U.S. crude inventories fell more than expected, suggesting demand may be improving.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Switzerland remains the world's most competitive economy, while the United States has fallen from second to fourth after losing the top spot last year, according to the World Economic Forum's annual rankings issued on Thursday.

Global economic recovery is slowing faster than expected and extra stimulus from governments may be needed, the OECD warned on Thursday.

Goldman Sachs fined $27 million in UK for failing to notify about US investigation. Britain's financial regulator hit Goldman Sachs International with a 17.5 million pounds ($27 million) fine on Thursday for failing to notify U.K. authorities about an investigation in the United States.

Asian stock markets encouraged by Portugal debt auction, softer yen; Europe mixed. World stocks were mostly higher Thursday as news of a successful bond sale by Portugal eased worries over Europe's debt woes. But Chinese shares fell on fears that authorities might do more to cool the property sector.

A Chinese company plans to pump three billion dollars into Cambodian energy, property, and aluminium processing projects, an official said Thursday.

Britain's financial watchdog said on Thursday it had fined Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs 17.5 million pounds (27 million dollars) for not providing it with information linked to US fraud charges.

China shares fall on renewed fears of property curbs ahead of monthly economic data. Chinese shares fell Thursday on fears of possible new government curbs on real estate as investors waited for monthly economic data.

Australian regulators rejected National Australia Bank's 12.2 billion US dollar bid for financial firm AXA Asia Pacific on competition concerns Thursday, in a move welcomed by rival suitor AMP.

Australian regulators rejected National Australia Bank's 12.2 billion US dollar bid for financial firm AXA Asia Pacific on competition concerns Thursday, in a move welcomed by rival suitor AMP.

Hyundai shows off South Korea's first electric car as president takes test drive. Hyundai Motor unveiled its first electric car Thursday ? the BlueOn ? as it moves to catch up with Japanese rivals that have jumped ahead in the field.

India car sales hit all-time high in August on holiday buying despite rising prices. Car sales in India surged to a record for a second straight month in August on strong demand before the holiday season, despite rising prices and supply constraints.

ANA setting up low-cost carrier, a first for Japanese airline, amid growing global competition. Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways said Thursday it's setting up Japan's first low-cost carrier, potentially making flights between Osaka and Tokyo cheaper than riding the popular bullet train.

Bank of Korea keeps key interest rate near record low amid weakening global outlook. South Korea's central bank left its key interest rate near a record low Thursday for a second straight month as the risk of slowing global growth outweighed a buoyant outlook for the local economy.

Korea National Oil Corp. rules out higher bid for UK's Dana Petroleum. Korea National Oil Corp. says it won't raise its hostile takeover bid for Britain's Dana Petroleum.

Philippine Airlines' cabin staff on Thursday told the government they would go on strike over pay at the end of October, saying the move would ground all flights by the loss-making flag carrier.

Weary Detroit gets rare assist from suburbs to battle blazes that tore through neighborhoods. As exhausted Detroit firefighters battled wind-fed blazes burning wild in some neighborhoods and threatening to char much of the city, a half-dozen departments from surrounding communities brought in sorely needed ? and gladly accepted ? help.

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asian stocks edged up and the yen held below a 15-year high on Thursday, after a small rally on Wall Street driven by successful European bond auctions gave investors an excuse to lighten up on their bets.

Australia's mining-led economy created another 30,900 jobs in August, pushing unemployment down to 5.1 percent and boosting the likelihood of higher interest rates, figures showed Thursday.

Australian regulators rejected National Australia Bank's 12.2 billion US dollar bid for financial firm AXA Asia Pacific on competition concerns Thursday, in a move welcomed by rival suitor AMP.

Australian regulators rejected National Australia Bank's 12.2 billion US dollar bid for financial firm AXA Asia Pacific on competition concerns Thursday, in a move welcomed by rival suitor AMP.

Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) is to launch a low-cost carrier that will operate both international and domestic short-haul routes from the second half of 2011, the company said Thursday.

Euro slides to $1.2693, reversing slight gains on Portuguese bond auction. The euro has slipped back below $1.27, giving up slight gains it made thanks to a relatively successful bond auction in Portugal.

Nissan expert team double-checks quality in Thai-made March cars being sold in Japan. Thai-made Nissan March subcompact cars ? the first major model from a Japanese automaker being mass produced abroad for sale in Japan ? are getting extra scrutiny from a team of quality experts to meet choosey consumer standards, a senior executive said Thursday.

French energy giant Total has paid a little over 625 million euros for a 20-percent stake in a major liquified natural gas project in Australia, two of the other companies involved announced Thursday.

French energy giant Total has paid a little over 625 million euros for a 20-percent stake in a major liquified natural gas project in Australia, two of the other companies involved announced Thursday.