LyondellBasell gets buyout offer from Reliance

LyondellBasell Industries said Saturday Reliance Industries offered to acquire a controlling interest in the beleaguered chemical company, which is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

More Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving

The number of Americans traveling away from home for Thanksgiving will be up only slightly this year from 2008, according to a report from the AAA auto club.

Obama trumpets Asia trip as boost to US economy

President Barack Obama's eight-day trip to Asia produced no tangible wins for the United States, though he is citing talks with Asian allies that he says could help create thousands of job and open new markets for American goods in the future.

Hawaii anxiously watching year-end tuna supply

On New Year's Eve each year, thousands line up at fish counters across Hawaii to buy blocks of raw tuna, hoping that eating it will bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. This year, the long tradition may get a little more difficult to observe.

Comparison of Democratic health care bills

A comparison of the health care bills before Congress:

Regulators warn West Palm Beach bank

Federal regulators on Thursday directed Flagler Bank of West Palm Beach to address concerns about its financial stability.

In a 17-page written agreement with the bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta ordered Flagler to submit a plan for strengthening the board's oversight of management and operations. It also must show it can maintain sufficient capital and improve liquidity.

Boston Scientific to close Doral plant, eliminate 1,400 jobs

Medical-products manufacturer Boston Scientific will close its plant in Doral, eliminating 1,400 jobs by 2013, Miami-Dade economic development officials announced Friday afternoon.

Florida, Miami-Dade jobless rates up slightly in October

Florida's unemployment rate ticked up again last month, rising a tenth of a point to 11.2 percent, the state labor department said Friday.

It was the highest rate since June 1975.

Twitter sales top $4 million; ad business planned

Twitter, the social-networking company valued at $1 billion by venture capitalists, said it is generating sales of more than $4 million a year and plans to build on that revenue with advertising.

South Florida trade drops 17 percent in September

South Florida's trade with the world dropped 17 percent in September, falling at a slightly slower rate than it did in August and marking its 10th straight month of declines, new U.S. Census data show.

Citizens Property Insurance premiums to rise

Mobile homeowners insured by state-backed Citizens Property Insurance will see an 11 percent increase on their insurance policies in 2010.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty signed an order Thursday establishing rates for the Citizens high-risk accounts. The approved rates are close to those requested by Citizens at a rate hearing earlier this month.

Temp labor may be bridge to employment recovery

Antonio Palou is temping, but not complaining.

He'd love a more permanent job, but he knows plenty of other information technology professionals who have been out of work for a year or more.

California unemployment rate hits 12.5 percent

California's unemployment rate rose to 12.5 percent in October to set another modern record, even though more than 25,000 Californians found jobs, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

Stocks fall for 3rd day as dollar strengthens

Investors can't shake their fears that the economy isn't keeping up with the stock market.

Publisher says buyer emerges for Ariz. paper

The publisher of the East Valley Tribune in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa said Friday that a buyer has made an offer that would keep the paper and its Web site in business.

Global Defense Technology shares little changed

Global Defense Technology & Systems shares were little changed after its initial public offering priced below expectations.

Volkswagen board moves closer to Porsche merger

German carmaker Volkswagen AG said Friday its supervisory board had approved certain agreement contracts for the planned merger with German sportscar builder Porsche, taking the companies one step closer to completing the deal.

7 Days Group Holdings soars in 1st trading day

Shares of 7 Days Group Holdings Ltd. soared on Friday after the discount lodging chain's initial public offering priced at the high end of an expected range.

Idaho gets $115,000 from Sanofi-Aventis settlement

Idaho's Medicaid Division is getting nearly $115,000 as its share from a nationwide settlement with French drug giant Sanofi-Aventis.

Flu season, ailing economy aiding Mich. drug maker

Record profits. Job openings. Shareholders making money. It's not what you might think in Michigan, home to the country's highest unemployment rate, but a century-old company is in robust health thanks to achy, thifty Americans.