As Microsoft Corp.'s top executives take the stage Thursday to outline the software maker's strategy for fiscal 2009, Wall Street analysts will be listening closely for new details about its online business plans.

For the Olympic movement, the digital revolution is armed with a double-edged sword -- it has lured the younger generation away from sport but could open up the Olympic experience to a far wider audience.

The leader of a youth movement that swept the world this past year by encouraging Web users to share bits of their lives with selected friends spoke Wednesday of spreading his service across the Web, even while apologizing for past excesses.

Microsoft Corp <MSFT.O> said on Wednesday that Kevin Johnson, who as president of Microsoft's largest business division spearheaded the company's pursuit of Yahoo Inc <YHOO.O>, is leaving the software maker.

Microsoft Corp <MSFT.O> said on Wednesday that Kevin Johnson, who as president of Microsoft's largest business division spearheaded the company's pursuit of Yahoo Inc <YHOO.O>, is leaving the software maker.

By Daisuke Wakabayashi

The leader of a youth movement that swept the world this past year by encouraging Web users to share bits of their lives with selected friends, spoke on Wednesday of spreading his service across the Web, even while apologizing for past excesses.

By Eric Auchard

The leader of a youth movement that swept the world this past year by encouraging Web users to share bits of their lives with selected friends, spoke on Wednesday of spreading his service across the Web, even while apologizing for past excesses.

Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, July 23, from AP Financial News:

Among the sector activity stories for Wednesday, July 23, from AP Financial News:

Stocks finished higher as oil broke below the key $125 a barrel mark.

Stocks advanced, boosted by a further drop in oil following the inventory report and expectations that the House would pass the Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac rescue plan.

Shares of big Internet companies, including Yahoo Inc. and online search leader Google Inc., inched higher Wednesday even though Yahoo's second-quarter profit fell shy of Wall Street's expectations.

Stocks advanced, boosted by a further drop in oil following the inventory report and expectations that the House would pass the Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac rescue plan.