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Japan's jobless rate hits all-time high

The July figure, up from 5.4 percent in June, breaks the previous post-World War II record of 5.5 percent, set in April 2003.

U.S. to ban most 'robocalls'

Most prerecorded commercial telemarketing calls to consumers will be prohibited beginning Sept. 1, the Federal Trade Commission said in a release posted on its Web site. Commercial robocalls will be permissible only if marketers have written authority from consumers who wish to receive them, the announcement said.

Crude oil prices slide overnight

Light, sweet crude prices lost 45 cents overnight, but tacked on an additional $1.06 Thursday to $72.49 per barrel. Heating oil prices added 0.0072 cents to $1.8592 per gallon. Reformulated gasoline prices gained 0.0488 cents to $2.0314 per gallon. Natural gas prices slid 0.0088 cents to $3.206 per million British thermal units.

Smoothtop electric ranges recalled

The heating elements on the stove can spontaneously operate without being turned on or fail to turn off after being switched off, the commission said in a statement.

Grain futures close mixed

Corn was up 2 1/2 to up 3; soybeans were off 1/2 to up 23 3/4, wheat was off 3 3/4 and oats were off 3 3/4.

U.S. markets post gains Thursday

The Commerce Department estimated the second quarter gross domestic product shrank by 1 percent, confirming an earlier estimate. The figure was 0.5 percentage points higher than economists had predicted.

Dreamliner test flight back on schedule

With initial deliveries delayed more than two years, Boeing said its first deliveries would occur in the fourth quarter of 2010, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Chrysler lags in plug-in prowess

Chrysler really isn't in the (hybrid car) game at the moment, at least not near enough for us to expect something in showrooms in 12 to 18 months, Stephanie Brinley at auto research firm AutoPacific Group told the Detroit Free Press.

GDP estimate unchanged, Commerce says

Economists predicted the Bureau of Economic Analysis would drop the previous estimate from a 1 percent drop to a contraction of 1.5 percent. But the bureau, an office of the Commerce Department, kept the previous estimate intact.

U.S. markets post gains Thursday

The Commerce Department estimated the second quarter gross domestic product shrank by 1 percent, confirming an earlier estimate. The figure was 0.5 percentage points higher than economists had predicted.

Quicksilver girls' hoodies recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said about 500 Roxy Girl Very Nice Cotton Hoodies were imported from China by Quicksilver Inc. of Huntington Beach, Calif. They were sold nationwide since April for about $40 each.

Liquidation Outlet recalls action figures

About 8,400 Force Soldier Playsets, Pirate Expeditions with Parrot and Pirate Expeditions with Treasure toy sets were imported from China by Liquidation Outlet Inc. of Lakewood, Wash.

FCC calls for study of wireless industry

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the wireless industry is critical to the U.S. economy, MarketWatch reported Thursday. In turn, Genachowski said, competition was vital to keeping the industry innovative.

XBox price change shifts consumer choices

Previously priced at $400, starting Friday, the Xbox 360 Elite will cost $300, the same as the rival Play Station Three system, CNET reported Thursday.

U.S. markets slide Thursday

Economists expected the revised report to show a GDP contraction of 1.5 percent. The Commerce Department, however, stuck with the previous estimate of a 1 percent contraction.