FAIRFAX, Va.—-Argon ST, Inc. , a leading systems engineering, development and services company providing full-service C5ISR systems and services to a wide range of defense and intelligence customers, today announced that it was awarded two contract modifications by the U.S.

General Motors and Chrysler are urging lawmakers to stop legislation that would prevent automakers from closing car dealerships that the dealers want to keep open, saying it would complicate their emergence from government-led bankruptcies.

LONDON & PORT LOUIS, Mauritius—-The Board of Investment, Mauritius has launched a bid to establish itself as an international centre for back-up, disaster recovery and business continuity services.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level since January, but the seasonally adjusted data was distorted by an unusual pattern of layoffs in the automotive industry.

Investors are cautiously moving back into stocks after being reassured by better earnings from Alcoa Inc. and a decline in claims for jobless benefits.

The Philippine central bank cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point Thursday to spur the economy while inflation remains low.

The Bank of England cut the pace at which it pumps money into Britain’s economy on Thursday after unexpectedly deciding not to expand its 125 billion pound asset buying scheme, raising fears it may stop purchases completely.

Investors are cautiously moving back into stocks after being reassured by better earnings from Alcoa Inc. and a decline in claims for jobless benefits.

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 rose slightly on Thursday as investors unloaded consumer staple and healthcare stocks and bought technology and commodity-related shares.

European stock markets trimmed gains Thursday after Wall Street failed to react positively to a smaller than expected loss by aluminum company Alcoa Inc. Investors clearly want more evidence before subscribing to the view that businesses may have seen off the worst of the recession.