Eni, Total join for another gas search license off Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Energy companies Total of France and Italy's Eni have teamed up to expand their search for natural gas off southern coast, signing a licensing agreement Wednesday. Cypriot Energy Minister Georgios Lakkotrypis said the companies will have an equal share in a new block into which a gas...

Iran tells US retaliation looms if targeted for Saudi attack

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has warned the U.S. it will retaliate "immediately" if Tehran is targeted over a weekend attack on Saudi oil installations, its state-run news agency reported Wednesday, further raising Mideast tensions. Iran's president and foreign minister also may not be able to attend next...

The Latest: Slow progress in talks as GM strike in 3rd day

DETROIT (AP) — The Latest on the United Auto Workers union's strike that has crippled U.S. production at General Motors (all times local): 8 a.m. Union and company bargainers are making progress toward a new contract as a strike by United Auto Workers brought 33 General Motors factories to a halt continued...

Bangladesh's leading cellphone companies in legal tussle

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh's two leading cellphone companies are negotiating with a regulator over claims of nearly $1.5 billion in unpaid taxes as they face a possible loss of their licenses amid a legal battle that could hurt investor confidence. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory...

Paris tests new bubble-shaped water taxi

PARIS (AP) — Paris is testing out a new form of travel: an eco-friendly bubble-shaped taxi that zips along the water up and down the Seine River. Organizers are holding test runs this week on the white, oval-shaped electric hydrofoil boats that resemble tiny space shuttles gliding past Paris monuments....

US home building climbs 12.3% in August to 12-year high

WASHINGTON (AP) — The pace of U.S. home construction jumped 12.3% last month to a 12-year high on a surge in apartment building. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that housing starts came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.36 million, most since June 2007 and up from a revised 1.22 million,...

Surge in apartment construction lifts US home building 12.3% in August to highest level since June 2007

Slow progress reported in talks as GM strike enters 3rd day

DETROIT (AP) — Union and company bargainers are making progress toward a new contract as a strike by United Auto Workers brought 33 General Motors factories to a halt continued into its third day. Committees working on thorny issues such as wages, health insurance costs, use of temporary workers, and new...

UK blocks aerospace takeover by US investor over security

LONDON (AP) — The British government is halting the takeover of a U.K. aerospace company by a U.S. private equity firm to assess whether it affects national security. Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said Wednesday that the competition watchdog would look into the security implications of the sale of...

Stocks mixed ahead of Fed, oil dips on Saudi output recovery

BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks were little changed Wednesday as investors watched for a U.S. Federal Reserve decision on a possible interest rate cut and as oil prices eased on hopes for a quick recovery in Saudi oil supplies. Benchmarks in London, Frankfurt and Shanghai advanced while Tokyo and Hong Kong...