Rocks and Boulders

Japan Stocks Drop After Missile Launches - AP
North Korea's brazen missile tests sent Japanese stocks lower Wednesday, snapping a four-day winning streak, and the dollar higher. Auto, electronics and retail shares led the market's decline.

Jackson Leads Anti-BP March Near Refinery - AP
The Rev. Jesse Jackson brought his protest of BP PLC to the site of one of the state's worst refinery accidents Tuesday to speak against what he calls price gouging, discriminatory hiring practices and unsafe working conditions at the company.

Brent Crude Rises, Nymex Pares Losses - AP
Brent crude rose and Nymex futures pared their losses Wednesday after North Korea test-launched several missiles, bringing geopolitical concerns back in focus.

EU: Euronext-NYSE Should Retain EU Rules - AP
Euronext NV's exchanges should continue to operate under EU financial rules if a takeover bid from the owner of the New York Stock Exchange Group Inc. succeeds, the European Union's financial services chief said Wednesday.

Analysts: GM Revival Challenge for Ghosn - AP
Carlos Ghosn has earned a reputation as a fixer by turning around Japanese automaker Nissan from the verge of bankruptcy under an alliance with France's Renault. But he faces a far bigger challenge if he hopes to revive General Motors, analysts say.

ECB Set to Hold Interest Rates Steady - AP
The European Central Bank is set to hold interest rates steady this week but may set the stage for a series of increases starting in August in the face of faster economic expansion and higher oil prices.

Auto Dealers Overflow With Job Openings - AP
Sitting front and center in her college marketing class, Kim Smith took copious notes as a woman lectured about the importance of customer satisfaction and the lure of lucrative sales.

Venezuela Enters Mercosur Trade Bloc - AP
President Hugo Chavez marked Venezuela's entry into the South American trade bloc Mercosur with a six-nation summit, an alliance that he says should be a common front against U.S. free trade deals.

South Korean Stocks Fall 0.5 Percent - AP
South Korea's stock market and currency fell Wednesday on news that North Korea had test-fired a series of missiles overnight.