With global trade sliding, analysts say some of the world’s most powerful leaders may need to offer more than ritual support for open markets when they meet this week if they are to steady a teetering economy and avoid a damaging retreat to protectionism.
The presidents, prime ministers and chancellors of the Group of 20 nations [...]

Wall Street declines after rally as Freddie Mac swings to wider-than-expected 2nd-quarter loss
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks declined Wednesday, a day after a big rally, as troubled mortgage financier Freddie Mac reported a larger-than-expected second-quarter loss and touched off fresh concerns about the financial sector.
Freddie Mac, which substantially increased its reserves for souring loans, lost [...]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Time Warner Inc (NYSE:TWX - News) said it would split AOL’s dial-up Internet and advertising businesses into separate divisions by early 2009, a move that could ease a sale or merger of either business.
The media conglomerate also reported a lower quarterly profit, dragged by AOL, but it still slightly beat Wall [...]

Stocks decline as investors weigh plan for lenders, face concern about other financials.
Wall Street extended its slump into yet another week Monday as investors worried that even a safety net set up for mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac won’t head off further troubles in the financial markets.
Investors’ latest unease about the banking sector [...]