Reuters - World stocks slipped back towards this week's five-month low on Friday as steadying oil prices failed to erase concerns about slowing economic growth and rising inflation, and as banking stocks came under renewed pressure.

Reuters - A Vienna court sentenced nine people to prison on Friday for their roles in causing losses at Austrian bank BAWAG P.S.K. of as much as 1.7 billion euros ($2.7 billion) through risky investments.

AP - The nation lost jobs for a sixth month in a row in June, a storm of pink slips drenching this year's July Fourth holiday for more than 60,000 Americans and leaving thousands more worried about the future.

AP - Origin Energy Ltd., Australia's second largest power retailer, rejected a $13 billion takeover bid Friday from British natural gas producer BG Group.

AP - Between surging oil prices, food inflation and a credit crunch that's depressed global growth, leaders from the Group of Eight economic powers face the gravest combination of economic woes in at least a decade when they gather next week.

Reuters - The European Central Bank's interest rate rise sends a signal that it is serious about combating inflation, policymakers said as they staged a public relations offensive to justify Thursday's increase.

UK's leading department store chain Debenhams has so far opened two stores in India alongwith its franchisee partner, Planet Retail.

Reuters - Bradford & Bingley plans to increase its rights issue to 400 million pounds ($794 million) after U.S. private equity firm TPG Capital pulled out of a plan to buy a stake, sending its shares lower.

AFP - A US judge has ordered Google to expose to Viacom the video-viewing habits of everyone who has ever used YouTube in a decision condemned by the Internet giant and privacy advocates.

MUMBAI, July 4 (Reuters) - The latest dispute between India's Ambani brothers could prevent a tie-up between Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications and South Africa's MTN Group being reached before exclusive talks end next week.

MUMBAI, July 4 (Reuters) - The latest dispute between India's Ambani brothers could prevent a tie-up between Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications and South Africa's MTN Group being reached before exclusive talks end next week.

MUMBAI, July 4 (Reuters) - The latest dispute between India's Ambani brothers could prevent a tie-up between Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications and South Africa's MTN Group being reached before exclusive talks end next week.

July 4 (Bloomberg) -- India's inflation accelerated to the fastest pace in more than 13 years, strengthening the case for the central bank to increase borrowing costs this month.

AFP - A blonde hair extension that British supermodel Kate Moss reputedly lost in Berlin has been auctioned on eBay for 805 euros (1,264 dollars), Bild newspaper said on Friday.

July 4 (Bloomberg) -- India's inflation accelerated to the fastest pace in more than 13 years, strengthening the case for the central bank to increase borrowing costs this month.

Reuters - British pay-TV firm BSkyB is considering a bid of more than 2.5 billion euros ($4 billion) for Spanish pay-TV platform Digital Plus, the Financial Times said on Friday.