Reuters - The U.S. economy is in good shape, with growth moderating to a more sustainable pace from the rapid expansion in the early part of the year, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Friday.

Reuters - GNC Corp., which sells vitamins, minerals and specialty supplements, on Friday withdrew its initial public offering citing rocky market conditions, according to a spokesman.

Reuters - Intrawest Corp. shares soared on Friday as the ski resort and real estate developer said it will be acquired by Fortress Investment Group LLC in a $2.8 billion deal expected to close in October.

Reuters - Apple Computer Inc. on Friday told securities regulators it would not file its quarterly results on time as it reviews irregularities related to some past stock options grants.

The largest union in the AFL-CIO which represents state and local government workers will initiate a multimillion-dollar fund raising drive to mobilize its members to vote, work for improved health care and organize more workers....

Reuters - U.S. consumers spent heartily in July on goods ranging from cars to electronics as sales at retail stores rose a greater-than-expecte­d 1.4 percent, a government report on Friday showed, suggesting the economy still had spark.

Reuters - U.S. Treasury debt prices fell on Friday after stronger-than-expect­ed July retail sales data revived speculation the Federal Reserve might resume raising interest rates in the face of a surprisingly resilient economy.

AFP - US consumers pushed up retail sales by a better-than-expected 1.4 percent in July, the Commerce Department said, signalling a rebound in sales from June.

Reuters - U.S. consumers spent heartily in July on goods ranging from cars to electronics as sales at retail stores rose a greater-than-expecte­d 1.4 percent, a government report on Friday showed.

AP - Shoppers got back in the buying mood in July, propelling sales at the nation's retailers up by 1.4 percent, the most in six months.

Reuters - Internet gaming group BETonSPORTS , which removed its chief executive from his job following his detention in Texas last month on racketeering charges, said on Friday it was closing down the U.S. business, which drives the vast majority of the company's profits.

Reuters - Brazilian mining company Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) (VALE5.SA) is set to launch an all-cash, $15.1 billion bid (C$17 billion) bid for Canadian nickel miner Inco Ltd. , The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Reuters - The world can cope for now with the loss of about 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Alaska and Nigeria, but the pressure is on exporter group OPEC to fill the gap, the International Energy Agency said on Friday.

AFP - The dollar firmed against major currencies before publication of US retail sales data for July, due later in the day.

Reuters - Wall Street shares are set for a flat start on Friday as ongoing inflation and interest rate worries continue to gnaw at investor sentiment.

The Japanese business sector has recorded more hostile takeover bids this year than in the past which signals a more aggressive Japan. Mergers and acquisition adviser Refco Japan Ltd., said Thursday there were 1,641 M and A amounting $68.34 billion as of July 31 this year, which is 8.7 percent...

Reuters - Retailing giant Wal-Mart will let officials from China's state-run trade union to form and join unions, a company spokesman said on Friday as the two sides continued talks on the controversy.

Reuters - Oil prices edged up on Friday as geopolitical unease and uncertainty over output from North America's biggest oilfield checked a 3 percent tumble triggered by a thwarted transatlantic aircraft bomb plot.

AP - Two leading retail stalwarts — J.C. Penney Co. and discounter Target Corp. — reported on Thursday better-than-expected profits in the second quarter. Still, the outlook for consumer spending in the coming months remains muddled amid higher energy costs, rising interest rates, war in the Middle East, and the latest terrorist threat.

Reuters - The U.S. government indicated on Thursday that BP Plc could continue to pump oil along the western half of its giant Prudhoe Bay field in Alaska, although the oil major has said it would decide only next week whether to do so.