FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2005 file photo, Steve Appleton, CEO and chairman of Micron Technology Inc., looks out through the engine compartment of his stunt jet airplane inside the hanger where he keeps several different types of aircraft in Boise, Idaho. Appleton, has died in a small plane crash Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in Boise. He was 51.

CEO of chip maker Micron dies in plane crash

The head of memory chip maker Micron, long known for taking risks in stunt piloting, died Friday when a small experimental plane he was piloting steeply banked, stalled and crashed near an Idaho runway. 1328318535 Photo Gallery Available

US service industry growth surges in January

U.S. service companies grew at the fastest pace in 11 months in January as companies started hiring to keep up with rising demand.

IMF chief debt inspector Poul Thomsen arrives at a government office building before meeting Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos in central Athens on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. Unions and employers' associations rejected demands for private-sector wage cuts, despite pressure for the country to introduce strict austerity measures if it is to receive a crucial bailout package.

Greek debt talks to stretch into weekend

"Crucial" issues remain to be resolved in Greece's critical negotiations over a second multibillion euro international bailout, and talks would continue into the weekend, the country's Finance Minister said early Saturday. 1328313720 Video Available Photo Gallery Available

Hungary's Malev airline ceases operations

Hungary's Malev airline says its has ceased operations and grounded all its flights to "minimize damage" after its financial situation became unsustainable.

In this Feb. 2, 2012 photo, trader Luigi Muccitelli, left, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Optimism over upcoming U.S. jobs figures helped stocks and the euro to rally on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, despite further evidence that the 17-nation eurozone is heading for recession.

Jobs report lifts Dow to highest mark since '08

A drop in the unemployment rate to its lowest level in three years propelled the Dow Jones industrial average Friday to its highest close since May 2008, before the financial meltdown later that year. The Nasdaq composite index hit an 11-year high. Photo Gallery Available

SEC reaches settlement with former Qwest CFO

The Securities and Exchange Commission has reached a settlement with former Qwest Communications International Inc. Chief Financial Officer Robert Woodruff over its civil fraud lawsuit.

A worker rises on a lift at a building construction site of a new apartment and retail center in the University Circle area of Cleveland on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012.

Hiring surges in January; jobless rate at 8.3 pct.

In a long-awaited surge of hiring, companies added 243,000 jobs in January - across the economy, up and down the pay scale and far more than just about anyone expected. Unemployment fell to 8.3 percent, the lowest in three years. 1328331444 Video Available Photo Gallery Available

Employment gains aren't attracting believers yet

Employment statistics and the jobless rate have improved over the past several months. These usually point to a rebounding economy, but there's still considerable doubt over just what these numbers really mean.

Latest illnesses point to raw milk's popularity

An outbreak of bacterial infections on the East Coast illustrates the popularity of raw, unpasteurized milk despite strong warnings from public health officials about the potential danger. 1328316420

BBC accuses Iran of intimidating its staff

The head of the BBC on Friday accused Iran of intimidating staff members of its Persian service through slander, snooping and the arrest of their relatives.

A girl looks out of a window covered in frost on a bus moving in heavy snow in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. Fresh heavy snow has triggered traffic chaos in Belgrade and other Serbian cities, further complicating relief efforts as Eastern Europe's harshest cold snap in decades spreads to the north of the country.

EU prepares for potential gas crisis

The European Union is bracing for another potential energy crisis in the dead of winter as Russian gas supplies to some member states have suddenly dwindled by up to 30 percent. Photo Gallery Available

Durcan takes over as CEO in wake of Appleton death

The board of directors for Micron Technology Inc. has named president and chief operating officer Mark Durcan as the company's interim chief executive officer. 1328315520

Broadband gives BT a Q3 profit boost

A strong performance by the broadband business helped British telecommunications company BT PLC report a 41 percent increase in net profit in the three months ending Dec. 31.

How the major stock indexes fared on Friday

A drop in the unemployment rate to its lowest level in three years propelled stocks higher Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average closed at its highest level since May 2008, before the worst days of the financial crisis.

In this Dec. 1, 2011 photo, Noaoki Shibata, a co-founder of the AppGrooves, an iPhone application discovery tool, holds a smart phone in Tokyo. Small but growing numbers of Japanese entrepreneurs are jumping into the startup scene in northern California, particularly since the earthquake and tsunami last March.

Japanese entrepreneurs aim for Silicon Valley

For an emerging generation of Japanese innovators, the dream isn't a job for life at a big company. They have new ambitions, and they're determined to go places. Especially Silicon Valley. Photo Gallery Available

Ga. House approves transportation funding bill

Georgia officials could spend public money on transportation projects developed by private firms under legislation approved by House lawmakers.

Markets rally after forecast-busting US jobs data

Stocks spiked sharply higher on Friday after forecast-busting U.S. jobs figures reinforced hopes that the recovery in the world's largest economy is gathering pace at a time when other regions, notably Europe, may be heading back into recession.

SEC names top federal auditor to accounting board

Federal regulators have appointed a top government auditor as a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which polices the accounting industry.

Oil prices rise after drop in US hiring expands

A surge in U.S. hiring lifted oil prices for the first time in a week. As more Americans commute to work and the economy picks up, demand for energy is expected to rise.

Business Breaking News

Eurozone retail sales in surprise December fall