AP - The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly shrank in January, reflecting a big drop in imports of oil and foreign cars. American exports also fell, a potential blow to hopes that the economic recovery will be aided this year by U.S. sales abroad.

AP - Toyota's massive recalls are prompting Congress to reconsider whether the nation's auto safety agency has lived up to its mission of protecting motorists.

AP - Stocks traded in a tight range for a fourth day Thursday after China reported a jump in inflation. Mixed U.S. economic news also held the market back.

AP - Mortgage rates held below the 5 percent threshold for the second straight week, a report said Thursday, weeks before a government program that has been keeping rates low is scheduled to expire.

AFP - A Swiss unit of global banking giant HSBC revealed Thursday that details on 24,000 bank customers may have been leaked in a major security breach that has helped fuel pressure on Switzerland over tax evasion.

AP - China's inflation rose in February amid galloping growth and demand for scarce labor, increasing pressure on Beijing to ease off its stimulus while keeping a recovery going in the world's third-largest economy.

AFP - A key US senator said Thursday he would unveil new legislation come Monday to rewrite US financial rules and prevent a repeat of the global economic meltdown of 2008.

Reuters - Police clashed with stone-throwing youths in Athens on Thursday as tens of thousands protested draconian cutbacks aimed at pulling Greece out of a debt crisis shaking the euro zone.