U.S. carmaker General Motors will present a new viability plan for Opel in mid-December as it aims to reduce capacity across Europe by about 20 percent, a top executive said on Thursday.

Japan Airlines' stock slid to a new low on Wednesday after the nation's transport minister declined to rule out a court-led bankruptcy and despite a report that private equity firm TPG may invest as much as $1.1 billion.

Chinese and U.S. regulators are negotiating a pact aimed at encouraging Chinese financial institutions to buy into small and medium-sized banks in the United States.

For all its financial troubles and shortcomings as an automaker, no aspect of G.M. has confounded its critics as much as its hidebound, command-and-control corporate culture. The New York Times looks at the carmaker's effort to change.

General Motors reaffirmed on Friday it wants state aid to help overhaul European arm Opel after a newspaper quoted GM's chairman as saying the U.S. carmaker will not ask German taxpayers for help.

Smart investments lie in those companies that are boosting market share, creating healthy balance sheets, and taking advantage of price leadership, according to Javelin Wealth Management CEO Stephen Davies.

British Airways swung to a first-half pretax loss of 292 million pounds, as business class passenger numbers continued to tumble, dashing hopes air traffic demand was recovering from the slump caused by the downturn.

Carry your own luggage to the plane, slide one pound ($1.65) into a slot to use the toilet while airborne, pay more charges for fuel, have staff working for free for one month.

Savvy consumers swarmed to London's Regent Park Thursday for the opening of Taste of London's four-day gourmet food festival. The event was teaming with cost-conscious foodies getting a chance to taste the wares of Michelin-starred chefs for a fraction of the price.

General Motors will announce the members of its new board of directors  "very shortly," CEO Fritz Henderson told CNBC Monday.

Stocks flopped Friday, capping a dismal week, as bank stocks pulled back after recent gains.

Stocks opened flat Friday as investors were encouraged by a pair of better-than-expected manufacturing readings but dismal economic data out of Europe and weak U.S. retail reports capped gains.

Futures pared losses Friday after a pair of better-than-expected manufacturing readings.

Stocks opened higher after Wal-Mart hit its earnings target but a pair of economic reports that missed expectations curbed gains.

The move, which the dealers can appeal, is likely to cause devastating affects in cities and towns across the country as thousands of jobs are lost and taxes are not paid.