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  Mother's Day spending may be down in slower economy

  CINCINNATI -- Some moms may not be getting both chocolates and a bouquet for Mother's Day this year as consumers watch their spending. Even businesses that traditionally benefit from the holiday, like florists and restaurants, are offering special offers and products.

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  March trade deficit drops by bigger-than-expected amount

  WASHINGTON -- The U.S. trade deficit narrowed sharply in March as demand for imports fell by the largest amount since the last recession was ending.

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  AIG posts 1Q loss of $7.8B, plans to raise $12.5B

  NEW YORK -- American International Group Inc. says it will raise $12.5 billion in the coming months as the insurer looks to shore up a capital base that has been rocked by deterioration in the credit markets.

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  Facebook, states set bullying, predator safeguards

  HARTFORD, Conn. -- Facebook, the world's second-largest social networking Web site, is adding more than 40 new safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies, attorneys general from several states said Thursday.

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  BJ's April same-store sales up partly on gas sales

  NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club says its April same-store sales climbed 17.8 percent on gasoline sales and one extra day in the period, due to a shift in the Easter holiday.

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  Jobless claims post sharp decline

  WASHINGTON -- The number of newly laid off workers seeking unemployment benefits dropped much more than expected last week.

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  Retailers report mixed results in April

  NEW YORK -- Consumers gave some of the nation's retailers a little relief in April following months of dismal sales, but business was helped along by heavy discounting that could hurt first-quarter earnings.

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  Housing aid bills face vetoes by President Bush

  WASHINGTON -- Strapped homeowners could refinance into government-backed mortgages and states would get money to deal with foreclosed property under Democrats' housing aid plan.

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  Study: Foreclosure surge hits New England renters hard

  WASHINGTON -- Lease-abiding renters in four New England states are losing their homes to foreclosure as fast or faster than single-family homeowners who default on mortgages.

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