U.S. antitrust regulators are taking a closer look at Google Inc.’s proposed $750 million purchase of mobile phone marketer AdMob, the latest sign of greater government vigilance as Google tries to expand its advertising empire.

The way abortions are covered under health care reform is a major obstacle to finalizing the legislation, even though the House and Senate both agree that no federal money should be used.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.22 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.15 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.23 percent at 3:33 a.m.

Asian stocks gained on Thursday, with Tokyo shares hitting their highest in three months, while the dollar edged away from recent peaks on weak U.S. housing data.

Japanese shares rose to a fresh three-month high Thursday as a weaker yen lifted exporters amid thin Christmas season trade.

Asian stocks rose on Thursday led by gains in technology shares, while the U.S. dollar edged further away from recent peaks after an unexpected drop in U.S. home sales cooled optimism about the economic recovery.

Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs was paid his customary $1 annual salary in 2009, but Apple’s strength through a rough economic climate returned the value of his personal holdings in the company to pre-meltdown levels.

Stocks ended an erratic session with a slender gain Wednesday as rising commodities prices offset disappointment over an unexpected drop in home sales.

Americans are starting to spend a bit more money, but not enough to power a strong economic recovery. Consumer spending posted its second straight monthly increase in November, rising 0.5 percent, the government said Wednesday.

The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: