Busby SEO Challenge

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday, in a surprise move, said it will buy up to $300 billion worth of longer-term U.S. government debt over the next six months and expand purchases of mortgage-related debt to help ease credit market conditions.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of AIG said on Wednesday he was trying desperately to prevent the company from collapsing when he allowed the payment of $165 million in bonuses that have stoked widespread public outrage.

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar's new president, Andry Rajoelina, celebrated and consolidated power on Wednesday after being appointed by the Indian Ocean island's military in a move which drew international disapproval.

KABUL (Reuters) - NATO's secretary-general said on Wednesday 4,000 more soldiers were needed to secure Afghanistan's presidential election in August and to make sure the vote was credible and fair.

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - The Vatican on Wednesday defended Pope Benedict's opposition to the use of condoms to stop the spread of AIDS as scientists and politicians criticized it as unrealistic and dangerous.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. inflation rose in February on higher gasoline and apparel prices, government data showed on Wednesday, indicating some pricing power in the recession-hit economy and easing fears of deflation for now.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - IBM is in talks to buy Sun Microsystems Inc, sources with knowledge of the matter said, a move that could bolster the technology giant against rivals in the high-end computer server and software markets.

ST POELTEN, Austria (Reuters) - Josef Fritzl reversed his plea and admitted guilt on all charges on Wednesday after watching the daughter he locked up and raped for 24 years describe her ordeal in 11 hours of video testimony.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. mortgage applications surged last week, driven by a spike in demand for refinancing as the average 30-year fixed-rate home loan rate fell, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An accountant for Bernard Madoff "pretended" to conduct audits of the confessed swindler's investment firm, authorities said on Wednesday in charging him with fraud going back 17 years in the biggest investment scheme on Wall Street.