Powerset on Sunday unveiled tools for searching Wikipedia that use conversational phrasing instead of keywords, marking the first step of its challenge to established Web search services such as Google.

Stocks decline as AIG reveals need for cash, oil surges

Shares of American International Group Inc. took the biggest loss on the Dow Jones Industrial average Friday after the insurer posted a steeper-than-expected loss in the first quarter, helping to drag the index lower.

Microsoft Corp.'s withdrawal of its $47.5 billion bid for Yahoo Inc. dominated headlines at the beginning of the week, sending shares of the iconic Web content provider plunging $4.30, or 15 percent. The stock closed Monday at $24.37 in more than six times the normal trading volume.

Microsoft <MSFT.O> said on Friday it was appealing against a record 899 million euro ($1.39 billion) fine imposed by the European Commission for using high prices to discourage software competition.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Microsoft <MSFT.O> said on Friday it was appealing against a record 899 million euro ($1.39 billion) fine imposed by the European Commission for using high prices to discourage software competition.

American International Group Inc. stock took the largest midday loss among Dow Jones industrial average stocks Friday, after the insurer posted a disappointing first quarter and said it will raise $12.5 billion.

Google's top executives expressed hope that the Internet search leader will be able to form a potentially lucrative advertising partnership with Yahoo -- a deal that would lower the odds of Microsoft renewing its attempts to buy Yahoo.

Google Inc <GOOG.O> expects to launch new products for its YouTube Web video service in the next few months and sees reason for closer cooperation with Yahoo Inc <YHOO.O>, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said on Thursday.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (Reuters) - Google Inc <GOOG.O> expects to launch new products for its YouTube Web video service in the next few months and sees reason for closer cooperation with Yahoo Inc <YHOO.O>, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said on Thursday.

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, May 8, from AP Financial News:

RealNetworks Inc. said Thursday its first-quarter profit declined from a year-ago period that benefited from the settlement of antitrust litigation with Microsoft Corp.

Activision Inc <ATVI.O> Chief Executive Bobby Kotick said on Thursday he sees no signs that growth in the video game industry is slowing.

A federal appeals court on Thursday reinstated one of two patent cases tossed out last year in the ongoing user-interface technology dispute pitting Alcatel-Lucent against Microsoft Corp. and Dell Inc.