Reuters - The U.S. government pushed on Saturday to finish a plan to buy direct stakes in American banks as finance ministers from around the world struggled to find ways to stop the deepening financial crisis and shore up markets.

Reuters - Ford Motor Co is considering selling its stake in Japan's Mazda Motor Co (7261.T), a source familiar with the matter said on Saturday, as debt-laden U.S. automakers struggle with weakening auto sales and the global credit crunch.

Reuters - General Motors has had talks with smaller rival Chrysler LLC about a merger that would combine the No. 1 and No. 3 American automakers at a time when both are struggling to cut costs and shore up cash, according to a source briefed on the matter.

Reuters - Ford Motor Co plans to sell most of its stake in Japan's Mazda Motor Co (7261.T), Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Saturday, in a deal that could see the struggling U.S. automaker raise around $800 million.

Reuters - General Motors is in preliminary talks about a possible merger with fellow U.S. automaker Chrysler, The New York Times reported late on Friday.

Reuters - General Motors is in preliminary talks about a possible merger with Chrysler, The New York Times reported late on Friday.

Reuters - U.S. regulators took over two small banks on Friday, in Michigan and Illinois, bringing the tally of bank failures to 15 so far this year.

Reuters - The United States is developing plans to buy equity stakes in financial institutions, providing another weapon in its war against financial market turmoil, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Friday.

Reuters - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Friday the United States was developing plans to buy equity in financial institutions if necessary to halt market turmoil.

Reuters - U.S. regulators took over two small banks on Friday, in Michigan and Illinois, bringing the tally of bank failures to 15 so far this year.