Hobbies

Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits rose by a larger than expected 27,000 last week to their highest level in 16 years, Labor Department data showed on Thursday, as a harsh economic environment forces employers to cut back on hiring.

Reuters - Citigroup Inc won a vote of confidence from Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, its largest individual investor, who said on Thursday he plans to boost his stake in the U.S. banking giant to 5 percent from less than 4 percent.

Reuters - Stock index futures extended losses on Thursday after data showed the number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits surged to a 16-year high last week, underscoring worries about the bleak economic outlook.

Reuters - Oil fell toward $50 a barrel on Thursday, deepening losses over the previous four sessions as battered financial markets reflected ever lower confidence in the world economy and evidence mounted of falling fuel demand.

Reuters - The money-losing finance company GMAC said on Thursday it has filed to become a bank holding company, joining the growing list of lenders making such a move in a bid to secure U.S. Treasury funds.