Verizon snaps up AOL for $4.4b

Move comes as media landscape becomes increasingly disrupted on several fronts

There's a missing ingredient in oil's recovery

Oil bulls who've cheered a rebound of 40 percent from a six-year low should take heed: Unless demand accelerates, the rally is in danger.

Moody's downgrades Chicago to junk rating

Moody's Investors Service announced on Tuesday it has lowered Chicago credit rating to junk bond status, citing unfunded pension obligations and lagging tax revenue, in a move Mayor Rahm Emanuel called irresponsible.

Samsung in new push into Web-connected gadgets

Samsung wants to sell the digital brains that will go into billions of "smart" home appliances, industrial sensors and other Internet-connected gadgets - even if the gadgets aren't made by Samsung.

Shell adds firepower to BG Africa assets

Royal Dutch Shell Plc's $70 billion takeover of BG Group Plc will put Europe's largest energy company in the middle of East Africa's race to export natural gas and is set to boost the chances of Tanzania becoming a major supplier.

Alibaba sets up 2nd panel to look after charity efforts

Zhou Fei took to the stage for a very special ceremony recently.

Building, construction sectors adopt system of reporting on sustainability

A Singaporean property firm has been applauded by industry peers for its strenuous efforts to improve not only its own image, but that of the wider building and construction sector.

Starbucks offers a better future to migrant workers

By the age of 26, Liang Dong had worked on a factory assembly line back home in Jiangxi province, before moving north to Beijing to work first as a security guard, and then as a taxi driver.

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Australia targets 30 top multinationals

Tax crackdown comes as government unveils plans to reduce foreign aid

Google self-driving cars in 11 accidents

Google Inc revealed on Monday that its self-driving cars have been in 11 minor traffic accidents since it began experimenting with the technology six years ago.

Greece avoids default with IMF payment

Greece narrowly averted a default on Tuesday that could have seen it crashing out of the euro, but warned it faced another cash crunch within two weeks without a bailout deal with its EU financiers.