ECB set to tighten collateral rules amid credit crunch

Economists say the European Central Bank could move as early as Thursday?s governing council meeting to lay out changes to its collateral framework. But the potential move raises questions about whether it will choke off liquidity amid an ongoing credit crunch.

Euro-zone, U.K. rates expected to hold

The Bank of England?s rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee and the European Central Bank?s Governing Council are both expected to leave official interest rates unchanged when they conclude monthly policy meetings Thursday as the U.K. and euro-area economies struggle while inflation runs well above target.

Boeing machinists vote to strike, defer action for 48 hours

Boeing's biggest labor group voted to strike and then postponed the job action. The International Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, representing almost 27,000 machinists, received the two-thirds majority needed to authorize a strike. The machinists, in a separate ballot, rejected Boeing's contract offer. But The Wall Street Journal reported that the union postponed the job action for 48 hours after Boeing agreed to resume bargaining and to try to close a labor deal.

Vale seeking 20% rise in 2008 iron ore contracts

Brazilian miner Vale do Rio Doce seeks to increase iron ore prices for its Chinese and Japanese customers for a second time this year, according to media reports.

Boeing union goes on strike

Boeing's biggest labor group is going on strike.

Palin woos Republicans with fiery speech

As the Republican Party formally nominates John McCain for president, vice president nominee Sarah Palin launches a formidable attack on Democratic nominee Barack Obama and characterizes herself as an outsider who won?t conform to Washington?s ways.

Asia Markets: Technology, energy stocks beaten down in Asia

Asian markets fall as concerns that corporations could reduce technology spending weighed on stocks such as Advantest Corp. and Hynix Semiconductor.Energy-related stocks lost further ground as crude-oil prices extended losses.

China Power swings to net loss in first-half

Electric utility China Power International Development Ltd. reports a loss in the first half, reversing from a profit in the year-earlier period, as higher coal costs eroded its bottom line.

David Callaway: To know Sarah Palin's challenge, see Geraldine Ferraro

Perhaps the only one who really knows what Sarah Palin is going through this morning is Geraldine Ferraro.

Therese Poletti's Tech Tales: Google may be playing defense, not offense, with Chrome

The name ?Chrome? for Google Inc.?s just-released Internet browser is an interesting -- if odd -- choice. But you can bet that ?Burning Chrome? may become a mantra at Microsoft Corp., as it gets ready to release its next version of Internet Explorer, ushering in a new phase of the Internet browser wars.

China Life investor lawsuit dismissed

A New York court dismisses a class-action lawsuit against China Life by its U.S. investors, who had argued the firm failed to disclose sensitive information during its 2003 listing.

Asia Markets: Hang Seng below 20,000, as regional stocks sell off

Asian markets fall sharply, with stocks taking a hit across the board after fresh worries about the health of the U.S. economy lead to a sell-off on Wall Street.

Samsung Electronics considering buying SanDisk

Samsung says it's considering buying U.S. chipmaker SanDisk but adds that a decision has not yet been made.

Thailand's leader promises referendum on his rule

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej pledges to hold a national referendum on whether he should step down.

McCain claims long-coveted nomination; vows a shake-up

John McCain, the Arizona senator and former prisoner of war who has bucked the Republican Party on issues including immigration and campaign finance, formally claims the GOP?s nomination for president and vows to shake up Washington.

Jon Friedman's Media Web: Katie Couric, two years later

An attractive, feisty, 40-something American woman dares to take on a big job that has almost always been the province of a man. The whole world is watching, and she gets trashed relentlessly for her trouble. Sarah Palin's story? Think again.

Mark Hulbert: Stock market may already be voting in Presidential race

Has the stock market already voted by absentee ballot in this November's Presidential race? It may very well be in the process of doing just that.

MarketWatch First Take: McCain emphasizes service, country, character

In an election that was supposed to be all about the issues of a stagnant economy and an unending war, McCain made the case that the choice will come down to which party has the highest ideals and the candidate with the unbending character.

Text of John McCain's speech

Here is the prepared text of Sen. John McCain?s speech accepting the Republican nomination for president, as released by the party.

Thomas Kostigen's Ethics Monitor: Why is everyone pickin' on T. Boone's alternative-energy plan?

T. Boone Pickens is being accused by some environmentalists of using his multimillion-dollar investments in alternative energy -- celebrated as the Pickens Plan -- as a Trojan Horse for other business goals.