Cablevision Systems to purchase Newsday NEW YORK, May 12 (UPI) -- Cablevision Systems Corp. has outbid Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. for control of Long Island, N.Y., newspaper Newsday, Tribune Co. said.

Big profits elude big social Web sites NEW YORK, May 12 (UPI) -- Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace have large memberships but big profits from social network Web sites elude U.S. corporations, industry analysts say.

Oil prices settle slightly Monday morning NEW YORK, May 12 (UPI) -- Crude oil prices settled slightly on the New York Mercantile Exchange Monday as the dollar posted gains against the euro and yen.

Shell withdraws from Iranian gas project THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 12 (UPI) -- Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell announced Monday it would withdraw from a $10 billion Iranian natural gas development project.

British Gas to raise prices, company warns LONDON, May 12 (UPI) -- More than 15 million British Gas customers face a second 2008 price hike in their energy bills, company owner Centrica warned Monday.

Chile to get tallest residential towers SANTIAGO, Chile, May 12 (UPI) -- A Spanish development group says it intends to build the world's tallest residential tower in Chile.

Former president of Wiley & Sons dies NEW YORK, May 11 (UPI) -- Charles R. Ellis, who was credited with bringing publishing house John Wiley & Sons back to fiscal health in the 1990s died May 4 in Paris.

Tripple-digit interest trapping borrowers CHICAGO, May 11 (UPI) -- More American are going to payday loan companies to help make ends meet amid rising U.S. gas prices and the subprime mortgage crisis, experts say.

Lufthansa raises fuel surcharge COLOGNE, Germany, May 11 (UPI) -- Lufthansa has announced it is adjusting its fuel surcharge on all its flights amid increasing fuel costs.

Report: Public worker pensions threatened WASHINGTON, May 11 (UPI) -- U.S. public employee pensions are threatened by skyrocketing healthcare costs and other soaring expenses, analysts warn.

China welcomes jumbo jet company BEIJING, May 11 (UPI) -- China Sunday inaugurated its first jumbo passenger aircraft company, Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd., officials said.

Housing crisis spiraling to people's stuff WASHINGTON, May 11 (UPI) -- Many Americans who have lost their homes to foreclosure are seeing their belongings auctioned as well because they can't pay the storage costs, analysts say.

Walkaway homeowners: Trend or myth? LOS ANGELES, May 11 (UPI) -- U.S. lenders claim people who owe more on their homes than they are worth are simply abandoning them, "walking away" from high mortgage payments.

Ford may say goodbye to Mercury brand DEARBORN, Mich., May 10 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Co. may soon retire its Mercury brand to focus its efforts on Ford and Lincoln brands, U.S. auto industry analysts say.

Consumers prepare for postage hike LOS ANGELES, May 10 (UPI) -- U.S. consumers said they are doing their best to prepare for another budget strain as the postal rate hike approaches.

Judges affirms Louisville's dog law LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 10 (UPI) -- A judge in Kentucky has upheld the city of Louisville's dangerous-dog law, ruling that it was properly approved by the Metro Council Dec. 20.

BAMS contract boosts Northrop Grumman CENTURY CITY, Calif., May 10 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman Corp.'s military contract to build a new robotic plane could be a boon for the company and Southern California, experts say.

British Energy sale attracts few offers LONDON, May 10 (UPI) -- A requirement that any firm that buys British Energy must sell one of the company's eight nuclear plants has impeded the utility's sale, analysts say.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, May 10 (UPI) -- Investment firm buys Sallie Mae stake ... BAA may hurry sale of Gatwick Airport ... Office 2007 update available June 16 ... Beirut unrest hits local businesses ... News from United Press International.

Investment firm buys Sallie Mae stake WASHINGTON, May 10 (UPI) -- Mutual fund manager Dodge & Cox has acquired a 10.5 percent stake in troubled student loan company Sallie Mae after the lender won relief from U.S. lawmakers.

BAA may hurry sale of Gatwick Airport LONDON, May 10 (UPI) -- The debt-laden owner of London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports may have to accelerate the planned sale of Gatwick to complete a refinancing effort.

Office 2007 update available June 16 REDMOND, Wash., May 10 (UPI) -- Microsoft will roll out its Office 2007 Service Pack 1 via the Windows automatic update feature starting on or around June 16, company technicians say.

Beirut unrest hits local businesses BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 10 (UPI) -- Lebanese business activity has ground to virtual halt thanks to the four days of violence that have swept through Beirut this week, local merchants say.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. markets stumble in 19th week ... Poll: Retirement funding looks to change ... Microsoft to appeal $1.38 billion fine ... Dreamliner delays may cost Boeing billions ... News from United Press International.

Grains pivot on supply and demand report CHICAGO, May 9 (UPI) -- Grain trading on the Chicago Board of Trade pivoted on a supply and demand report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Friday.

Tracinda fishes for 20 million Ford shares DEARBORN, Mich., May 9 (UPI) -- Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian announced a tender offer for 20 million shares of Dearborn, Mich., automaker Ford Motor Co. Friday, an official filing shows.

U.S. markets stumble in 19th week NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. stock indexes chugged close to the break-even point for the year through 18 weeks, then stalled, the Dow index falling 2.4 percent through the 19th week.

Dreamliner delays may cost Boeing billions CHICAGO, May 9 (UPI) -- Production delays on the 787 Dreamliner could cost Chicago's Boeing Co. billions in late fees, industry analysts said.

Oil prices at more than $126 a barrel NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- Crude oil prices climbed to the end of trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange Friday, reaching a record $126.06 per barrel.

Poll: Retirement funding looks to change PRINCETON, N.J., May 9 (UPI) -- Current and future retirees in the United States have sharply contrasting expectations about how they will fund their retirement years, Gallup said Friday.

Microsoft to appeal $1.38 billion fine REDMOND, Wash., May 9 (UPI) -- Microsoft Corp. will appeal the $1.38 billion fine imposed by the European Commission in February, the company said Friday.

Honda FourTrax Foreman ATVs recalled WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall Friday of Honda Motor Co. all-terrain vehicles due to loss of steering control.

Fingerhut pressure washers recalled WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall Friday of Craft Pressure Washers due to fire hazard.

Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmers recalled WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall Friday of Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmers due to fire hazard.

Judge OKs Dutch baggage handlers strike AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, May 9 (UPI) -- A strike of baggage handlers at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands would not jeopardize airport security, a judge in Amsterdam ruled.

Canadian economy concerns at 10-year high TORONTO, May 9 (UPI) -- The economy has risen to be the top concern among Canadians for the first time in 10 years, a poll published Friday said.

Big oil starts big public relations push WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. oil companies have begun a national public relations campaign meant to counter their negative image, an industry lobby group said.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. markets start Friday with hard slide ... Foreclosures on the rise in Britain ... WiMax future may start in Chicago ... Some U.S. retailers and tobacco part ways ... News from United Press International.

Foreclosures on the rise in Britain LONDON, May 9 (UPI) -- Foreclosures in Britain rose 16 percent in the first quarter of 2008, coming close to levels experienced in the 1990s, the government said.

WiMax future may start in Chicago CHICAGO, May 9 (UPI) -- The future of wireless communication may have its start this year in Chicago, industry observers said.

Some U.S. retailers and tobacco part ways SAN FRANCISCO, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. retailers are dropping out of the cigarette business and finding a supportive reaction from customers, retailers say.

Canadian employment edged up in April OTTAWA, May 9 (UPI) -- Canada's employment rose slightly in April by 19,000 full-time and self-employed positions, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

IMF calls for response to inflation WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- International Monetary Fund First Deputy Managing Director John Lipsky called on governments to mount a strong defense against inflation.

U.S. credit card debt mounting WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- Credit card delinquency rates in the United States are growing as expenses have risen and options for borrowing have narrowed, financial experts said.

China's PPI rises 8.1 percent in April BEIJING, May 9 (UPI) -- China, facing rising inflation, saw its April producer price index jump 8.1 percent from last year, due to higher prices of raw materials and energy.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. markets close up Thursday ... Sub hunter keeps Boeing U.S. plant busy ... Ford's chairman praises company CEO ... UBS agrees to buy back municipal bonds ... News from United Press International.

Grain trades mixed in Chicago Thursday CHICAGO, May 8 (UPI) -- Grains traded higher Thursday, although soybean prices tailed off with wheat before firming near the day's close on the Chicago Board of Trade

Retailers report an April bounce WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Year-to-year chain store sales for April jumped beyond expectations, the International Council of Shopping Centers reported Thursday.

U.S. markets close up Thursday NEW YORK, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. stock indexes closed in the black Thursday, bolstered by labor and retail news and undeterred by a fifth consecutive day of crude oil price records.

Crude oil prices climb Thursday NEW YORK, May 8 (UPI) -- Crude oil prices settled in midday trading Thursday before rising to a record by close of day on the New York Mercantile Exchange.