French overtime law has shaky anniversary PARIS, May 20 (UPI) -- A non-supportive statement on the 10th anniversary of France's 35-hour work week shook through the halls of government, political observers in Paris said.

U.S. retail sales falls in week WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Retail sales in the United States declined 0.4 percent during the week ending May 17, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday.

Investor confidence rose in April BOSTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Investor confidence rose in the United States and across the globe in April, State Street Global Markets reported Tuesday.

Former AOL executives charged with fraud NEW YORK, May 20 (UPI) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission charged eight former AOL executives with fraud, court papers filed in New York City show.

NASA awards ISS contract extension WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency has given the Ares Corp. a $26 million, one-year contract extension for development and operation of the International Space Station.

U.S. producer prices up slightly in April WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- U.S. producers paid 0.2 percent more for finished goods in April, the U.S. Labor Department said Tuesday.

U.S. demand for foreign oil drops WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Foreign oil imports fell in the United States in the first quarter of 2008, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said.

Senate leaders agree on mortgage aid bill WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate finance committee leaders said they had reached an agreement on a bill to provide about $500 million in help for troubled U.S. mortgage holders.

Flying taxis caught in credit crunch BOCA RATON , Fla., May 20 (UPI) -- The small Florida airline DayJet has found a business model that works, but can't scrape up financing to expand to a profitable level, the company owner said.

BOJ says Japan's economy slowing TOKYO, May 20 (UPI) -- Japan's central bank said Tuesday the country's economy has been slowing but bankers said they were upbeat on the housing market since its slump last year.

Saudi Arabia facing rice shortage NEW DELHI, May 20 (UPI) -- India, the world's second-largest rice producer, may have to step in to relieve Saudi Arabia's rice shortage.

Weather presses on grain prices Monday CHICAGO, May 19 (UPI) -- Weather concerns pressured U.S. grain prices Monday, including a report of continued dry weather in Australia's province New South Wales.

Corn planting remains slow in U.S. WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. corn belt is behind its five-year average in planting and emergence, the U.S. Agriculture Department reported Monday.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Markets closed mixed Monday ...Used truck sales dragging on industry ... NASA seeks partners in innovation ... McDonald's will change oil by end of year ... News from United Press International.

Markets closed mixed Monday NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. markets swung high and low Monday, with major boards closing mixed.

Gas prices continue climbing Monday NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- Crude oil prices climbed Monday in New York, as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said it wouldn't increase production through the summer.

Ground rent reform has day in court BALTIMORE, May 19 (UPI) -- Ground rent reform laws in Maryland are facing their day in federal court, properties owners say.

American Axle union vote starts DETROIT, May 19 (UPI) -- Striking American Axle and Holding Inc. employees are voting on a contract calling for a $10 hourly cut in pay for most workers, union officials said Monday.

McDonald's chief criticizes menu mandates CHICAGO, May 19 (UPI) -- McDonald's Chief Executive Jim Skinner, speaking at a trade show in Chicago, criticized regulations requiring calorie information on restaurant menus.

NASA awards contract to SP Systems Inc. GREENBELT, Md., May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it has selected SP Systems Inc. of Greenbelt, Md., to provide mission support services at the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Used truck sales dragging on industry DETROIT, May 19 (UPI) -- A collapsing market in large used vehicles is rippling through the U.S. automobile, industry observers said.

NASA seeks partners in innovation WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency is seeking innovative U.S. companies and organizations to take part in its Innovation Transfusion Program.

McDonald's will change oil by end of year OAK BROOK, Ill., May 19 (UPI) -- McDonald's Corp. says all its U.S. restaurants will be cooking with oil that is free of trans fats by the end of this year.

Shindaiwa backpack blowers recalled WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Shindaiwa Corp. backpack blowers due to laceration and impact hazards.

Tumble Tower Infant Rattles recalled WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Tumble Tower Infant Rattles due to a choking hazard.

Squeeze Kids girls' jackets recalled WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Squeeze Kids girls' corduroy jackets due to potential strangulation hazard.

U.S. leading indicator rose in April NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- An influential measure of the U.S. economy, the leading indicators rose 0.1 percent in April for the second straight month the Conference Board reported Monday.

Owner of security firm allegedly overpaid WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- A bankrupt security company paid to guard federal buildings diverted millions to its owner, court filings alleged Monday.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. markets waver Monday morning ... European Central Bank firm on lending rate ... Ex-Soviet states weigh Russia's WTO future ... Face of hunger includes U.S. working poor ... News from United Press International.

European Central Bank firm on lending rate LONDON, May 19 (UPI) -- The European Central Bank will stick to its guns and not reduce interest rates soon, the head of the bank said Monday.

Ex-Soviet states weigh Russia's WTO future GENEVA, Switzerland, May 19 (UPI) -- Russia's chances of joining the World Trade Organization remain unsettled and pivot on two ex-Soviet group members, officials said.

Russia's Superjet makes inaugural flight MOSCOW, May 19 (UPI) -- Sukhoi Civil Aircraft's Superjet 100 has completed its inaugural flight, a spokesman for the Russian company said Monday.

Face of hunger includes U.S. working poor WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The face of hunger in the United States is changing with many of the working poor requiring foods stamps in order to eat, program officials say.

U.S. federal obligations now in trillions WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Lifelong obligations for the U.S. government -- payments that cover anyone living now -- reached $57.3 trillion in 2007, financial analysts said.

Microsoft poised for Yahoo! possibilities REDMOND, Wash., May 19 (UPI) -- Microsoft says it has not given up hope of joining forces with Yahoo!, and is again poised to consider the possibility of purchasing the company.

Loss of Filipino rice crops was stoppable CALAMBA CITY, Philippines, May 18 (UPI) -- The ongoing loss of rice crops throughout the Philippines at the hands of a growing insect horde could have been prevented, researchers say.

Bankruptcy requests rising in Britain LONDON, May 17 (UPI) -- Bankruptcy applications were up 12 percent in the first quarter of the year in Britain compared to the previous quarter, figures show.

Booz Allen announces major split WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- The U.S consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. says it is separating, with private-equity firm Carlyle Group buying its government division for $2.54 billion.

Parsons adds fuel to Time Warner reports ATLANTA, May 17 (UPI) -- Time Warner could soon have a new chairman as current Chairman Richard Parsons indicated at the company's annual meeting in Atlanta he is about to leave.

Porsche eyeing 2,100 new German jobs BERLIN, May 17 (UPI) -- The German luxury automobile manufacturer Porsche will soon create as many as 2,700 jobs in Europe thanks to a new model, a company official says.

Report: United balking at merger deal PITTSBURGH, May 17 (UPI) -- A report published Saturday said United Airlines is balking at the terms of a possible merger between it and US Airways of Pittsburgh.

GE considers appliance division sale FAIRFIELD, Conn., May 17 (UPI) -- General Electric Co. is weighing the option of selling its 101-year-old appliance division, a longtime signature of the U.S. manufacturing giant.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- UAW, American Axle reach agreement ... Apple lines up overseas iPhone partners ... FAO Schwarz to open Macy's outlets ... Tough times hit food show exhibitors ... News from United Press International.

FAO Schwarz to open Macy's outlets CHICAGO, May 17 (UPI) -- FAO Schwarz and Macy's department stores plan to implement a new agreement in which the toy retailer will open outlets in 700 Macy's stores.

Tough times hit food show exhibitors CHICAGO, May 17 (UPI) -- Some of the food industry's biggest players say they have reduced their participation at Saturday's National Restaurant Association trade show in Chicago.

Apple lines up overseas iPhone partners CUPERTINO, Calif., May 17 (UPI) -- Apple Inc. says the popularity of its iPhone is gaining international ground, with new distribution deals in place Saturday for Europe and elsewhere.

UAW, American Axle reach agreement DETROIT, May 17 (UPI) -- The United Auto Workers and American Axle were optimistic Saturday they have struck a deal to end a nearly 12-week walkout at the Detroit manufacturer.

Canadian autoworkers reach labor deals DETROIT, May 16 (UPI) -- New contracts between the Canadian Auto Workers and U.S. automakers might threaten the future of Canada's auto industry, analysts say.

GM reaches pact with union in Delta strike DETROIT, May 16 (UPI) -- General Motors Corp. has reached a tentative agreement with a United Auto Workers local that has been on strike for more than a month, the U.S. automaker said.

Strike closes five Norwegian airports OSLO, Norway, May 16 (UPI) -- A strike at five airports in Norway left thousands of travelers stranded Friday, officials said.