Google's 2Q revenue gains eclipse earnings miss
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Google's second-quarter earnings rose 6 percent as World Cup fever drove more traffic to the Internet company's search engine and YouTube video site while Android devices spurred more sales of movies, music, books and applications through its mobile store....

Jet downing, weak earnings rattle stock market
Stocks are closing sharply lower as traders worried about an escalation of tensions between Russia and the West following the downing of a passenger plane in eastern Ukraine....

For Malaysia Airlines, disaster strikes twice
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- Two Boeing 777s. Two incredibly rare aviation disasters. And one airline....

Ukraine: 295 on Malaysia plane shot down over east
HRABOVE, Ukraine (AP) -- A Malaysia Airlines passenger plane carrying 295 people was shot down over war-torn eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said, and both the government and the pro-Russia separatists fighting in the region denied any responsibility for downing the aircraft....

Microsoft cutting 18,000 jobs, signals new path
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Microsoft announced the biggest layoffs in its history Thursday, saying it will cut 18,000 jobs as it streamlines its Nokia mobile device business to focus on using the Windows Phone operating system....

Senators call on GM CEO to fire top lawyer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lawmakers on Thursday demanded General Motors fire its chief lawyer and open its compensation plan to more potential victims as a Senate subcommittee delved deeper into GM's mishandling of the recall of small cars with defective ignition switches....

Largest US insurer's move signals industry shift
The nation's largest health insurer expects to play a much bigger role in the health care overhaul next year, as the federal law shifts from raising giant questions for the sector to offering growth opportunities....

House passes tax breaks to boost charitable giving
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House passed a package of tax breaks Thursday designed to boost charitable donations by seniors, private foundations and procrastinators....

After hybrid success, Toyota gambles on fuel cell
TOKYO (AP) -- Rocket science long dismissed as too impractical and expensive for everyday cars is getting a push into the mainstream by Toyota, the world's top-selling automaker....

Airbus beats Boeing in airshow orders race
FARNBOROUGH, England (AP) -- Airbus beat rival Boeing in the aircraft order stakes at this year's Farnborough International Airshow, getting nearly twice as many orders and commitments....