Business

Moscow -- The European Union says Russia has approved a plan that could result in a resumption of natural gas delivery to Europe, but Moscow has not confirmed the report.

Los Angeles -- Norwegian national broadcaster NRK has removed a series of Internet podcasts that made it possible to download Beatles songs for free, Billboard.com said.

Chicago -- Grains closed mostly lower on the Chicago Board of Trade Thursday in spite of the dollar closing lower in New York.

New York -- U.S. markets were mixed Thursday on weak employment news and Macy's announcement that it would close 11 stores due to a downturn in sales.

Seattle -- U.S. coffee retailer Starbucks topped off a year in which it closed 616 locations with the purchase of a new corporate jet, the company said.

Bentonville, Ark. -- The largest U.S. retailer, Wal-Mart Stores performed under expectations in December, pointing to a sharp slowdown in consumer spending, a retail analyst said.

Cincinnati -- U.S. retail giant Macy's Inc. said it would close down 11 under-performing stores with a total loss of 960 jobs.

Round Rock, Texas -- Texas computer giant Dell Inc. said Thursday it would shutter a plant in Ireland and switch its European production base to Poland.

New York -- U.S. markets turned lower Thursday on weak employment news and Macy's announcement that it would close 11 stores due to a downturn in sales.

Memphis -- The chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises' parent company says the Elvis industry is thriving despite the bad U.S. economy.

Nashville -- Hundreds of striking Vought Aircraft Industries employees in Tennessee have been given an ultimatum: Return to work or lose their jobs to replacement workers.

Washington -- The Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday the U.S. budget deficit will approach $1.2 trillion this year, not counting further economic stimulus efforts.

Dallas -- Industry analysts said U.S. airlines may need to make further cuts in their schedules in 2009 with the economy now eclipsing concerns of rising fuel costs.

Chicago -- Grains closed sharply lower on the Chicago Board of Trade Wednesday, following along with a steep decline in crude oil prices.