Cape Town

Reuters - Stocks fell for a second straight day on Thursday as Wal-Mart's disappointing December sales and lowered earnings outlook fueled concern the recession may be worsening, pinching consumers' wallets further.

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other top U.S. retailers delivered disappointing December same-store sales and profit warnings on Thursday, sparking fresh recession concerns that hit stock and currency markets.

Reuters - A search of accused swindler Bernard Madoff's office desk revealed he had signed checks totaling more than $173 million ready to be sent, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday asking a judge to jail him.

Reuters - Spreads on key debt and other financial indicators point to the effectiveness of the Treasury Department's $700 billion financial rescue program, the official in charge of the program said on Thursday.

Reuters - Unemployment benefit rolls swelled to a 26-year high in the last week of December, data showed on Thursday, while retailers, including market leader Wal-Mart, reported poor sales as the year-long economic slump deepened.