Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. said Thursday it will temporarily idle production at its two smelters in Italy, affecting about 2,000 workers, after a decision by the European Union left the company's ability to secure electricity for the plants at low rates uncertain.

Las Vegas has cleaned up since its days as a magnet for ill-gotten mobster gains, but a Canadian insider trading scam has exposed the smaller-scale money laundering still going on in the desert city's casinos.

U.S. companies hurt by the global credit crisis are continuing to hold more cash, even as the economy begins to show signs of improvement, the Wall Street Journal said, citing its analysis of company filings.

Stocks rebounded Thursday after jobless claims beat and Alcoa kicked off the earnings season with exactly what analysts wanted to see: revenue growth.

Stocks rebounded Thursday after jobless claims beat and Alcoa kicked off the earnings season with exactly what analysts wanted to see: revenue growth.

Stocks rebounded Thursday after jobless claims beat and Alcoa kicked off the earnings season with exactly what analysts wanted to see: revenue growth.

Painful cost-cutting and rising sales to automakers helped the nation's largest aluminum producer return to profitability for the first time in nine months.

Stocks appear set to resume this week's rally, after a Wednesday pause that saw the major averages move barely at all. The fresh round of optimism is being sparked by the unexpected profit from Dow component Alcoa, which kicked off third quarter earnings season on an upbeat note.

Alcoa beat the Street Wednesday when it reported a third-quarter profit after three consecutive quarterly losses, turning in a revenue number that also topped expectations. CNBC's Maria Bartiromo spoke with Alcoa CEO Klaus Kleinfeld after the announcement.

Third-quarter earnings got off to a positive start with Alcoa's surprising profit, but investors will be watching corporate results closely to see if they justify a continued stock market rally.

Stocks ended mixed Wednesday as banks and techs gained but investors took a wait-and-see approach ahead of the start of earnings season. But banks and techs gained.

As Wall Street contemplates whether to rally or retreat, third-quarter earnings could be what settles the debate.

Stocks struggled Wednesday as investors took a breather after a two-day rally and braced for the start of earnings season. But banks and techs giane.d

Stocks slipped Wednesday as investors took a breather after a two-day rally and braced for the start of earnings season.

Wall Street momentum has clearly shifted back in the direction of the bulls. After falling for seven of eight sessions, the major averages have now risen for two consecutive days, with the Dow chalking up its biggest one-day advance since August 21.