In one of the most heated political contests in recent memory, Japan’s opposition party is courting voters with an enticing promise: monthly cash for kids.

Despite signs of an improving economy, the nation’s banks are still struggling — in fact, the pace of bank failures has accelerated.

In one of the most heated political contests in recent memory, Japan’s opposition party is courting voters with an enticing promise: monthly cash for kids.

China Investment Corp is investing as much overseas each month this year as it did in all of 2008, Lou Jiwei, the chairman of the $298 billion sovereign wealth fund, said on Saturday.

Despite signs of an improving economy, the nation’s banks are still struggling — in fact, the pace of bank failures has accelerated.

Investors balked at extending the market’s recent rally Friday despite an improved outlook from Intel Corp. Stocks closed mostly lower, as losses among health care stocks offset small gains in technology companies.

TUESDAY, Sept. 1 NEW YORK — The Institute for Supply Management releases its manufacturing index for August, 10 a.m. DETROIT — Major automakers report U.S. auto sales for August.

Two companies and two executives accused in the deaths of five workers in a 2007 fire inside a tunnel at a Colorado hydroelectric plant have been indicted on federal charges.

SAN FRANCISCO—-As part of ongoing surveillance, Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ‘A’ rating on Fresno County, California’s outstanding taxable pension obligation refunding bonds, series 2004.