Comcast’s acquisition of NBC Universal had a mixed effect, while the final installment of “Harry Potter” buoyed earnings at Time Warner.

The company used its strong earnings to try to redirect investors’ attention from a phone hacking scandal in Britain.

A federal appeals court on Wednesday again threw out a $550,000 fine against CBS by the F.C.C. for Janet Jackson’s famed “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl.

For four months, regulators issued warnings that MF Global needed to raise more capital, but the firm’s chief executive, Jon S. Corzine, resisted.

Financial conflicts have surfaced among members of three groups that are developing major public health standards on hypertension, cholesterol and obesity.

A study found that 280 of the biggest public companies had federal income tax bills that were little more than half the official corporate rate of 35 percent in the last three years.

The Federal Reserve said it remained concerned about the United States economy over the next two years but announced no new stimulus measures or rate changes.

Services from sites like OkCupid and eHarmony make it possible to arrange a date with a stranger using location technology.

Prime Minister George A. Papandreou of Greece emerged from a meeting with Europe’s leaders saying a referendum would be held in December.

Events this week have forced the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, to become mired in Greek politics.