Reuters - Retailing giant Wal-Mart will let officials from China's state-run trade union to form and join unions, a company spokesman said on Friday as the two sides continued talks on the controversy.

AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, said Thursday it has agreed to cooperate with China's state-sanctioned labor group in creating unions at its 60 Chinese outlets.

AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has asked to hold talks with China's state-sanctioned labor group after employees formed the retailer's first Chinese unions, the labor group and a state news agency said Wednesday.

More than 5 million vehicles on U.S. roads today can run on ethanol - a renewable fuel that comes from corn - as well as gasoline. General Motors (Charts), Ford (Charts) and DaimlerChrysler (Charts) recently announced plans to double their annual production of so-called flex fuel vehicles to two million cars and trucks by 2010.

More than 5 million vehicles on U.S. roads today can run on ethanol - a renewable fuel that comes from corn - as well as gasoline. General Motors (Charts), Ford (Charts) and DaimlerChrysler (Charts) recently announced plans to double their annual production of so-called flex fuel vehicles to two million cars and trucks by 2010.

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will hold talks with China's state-run trade union on Wednesday as the two sides grapple over a push to establish unions at the retailing giant's spreading Chinese stores, state media reported.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., on Monday said that it is raising starting pay rates at about third of its U.S. stores. The retailer has been constantly under fire from critics who have accused Wal-Mart for low pays and meager benefits....

AP - After a long day searching homes in suffocating Iraqi heat, Lance Cpl. Mike Young saw a most surprising source of relief — a sprawling Wal-Mart had appeared in the distance.

The Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has filed for a retail banking license across the border. The retail giant is trying to break into the banking business in Mexico.

AP - Federal authorities will review last year's blockade of a Mississippi River bridge by armed police officers who turned back Hurricane Katrina evacuees trying to flee New Orleans.

As reported on Saturday, employees at Wal-Mart in China have set up the second trade union for the company. In the southern town of Shenzhen, the second union was set up by 42 employees at the store.

Reuters - Employees of retail giant Wal-Mart have set up their second trade union in China, pushing toward the Chinese labor federation's goal of unionizing every Wal-Mart store in the country.

Ebay Inc. and major advertisers are linking up to try a pitch for selling television advertising on the internet. The advertisers participating in the test include Toyota Motor Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Microsoft Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Home Depot Inc....

Reuters - There is no evidence that a bank proposed by retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. would crowd out small community banks, as many such institutions fear, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Gary Stern said on Friday.

AP - The Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has filed for a banking license with local regulators, the latest retailer to enter the realm of financial services in Mexico in recent years.

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday said it expects 1 percent to 3 percent August sales growth at its U.S. stores open at least a year.

AP - Scorching heat in much the country sent consumers in search of summer clothes in July, giving many retailers a solid sales performance for the month. But the outlook for the back-to-school shopping season remained uncertain as higher gasoline prices and rising interest rates are still expected to challenge consumers.

AP - Millionaire businessman Ned Lamont has extended his lead against veteran Sen. Joe Lieberman less than a week before Connecticut's Democratic primary, according to a new poll released Thursday.

The All-China Federation of Trade Unions is pushing for the establishment of labor unions in all the 60 Wal-Mart stores in China after employees at one of the store's outlet voted to form the company's first Chinese union. Guo Wencai, an official of the ACFTU told the Beijing News Daily, "This is...