LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices slid with world shares and the euro on Wednesday as investors fled from riskier assets, while a surprise build in U.S. crude inventories helped send the WTI benchmark to a more than six-month low.

LONDON (Reuters) - Fears of a Greek exit from the euro zone worsening the debt crisis facing other European nations gripped financial markets on Wednesday, sending shares and other riskier assets lower as investors shifted funds into safe havens like the U.S. dollar.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - BHP Billiton <BHP.AX> <BLT.L> said it expects commodity markets to cool further and that investors have lost confidence in the longer-term health of the global economy, in the most cautious comments yet from the world's biggest miner.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Gold extended losses on Wednesday to slip to its weakest level since late December after the collapse of efforts in Greece to form a new government, prompting investors to cut exposure to the precious metal.

LONDON (Reuters) - Speculation about an endgame in Greece's protracted crisis has flooded markets with euro exit scenarios this week, but investors reckon there's still every chance that uncertainty will simply drag on for months.

TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) - The FBI has opened an inquiry into the multibillion-dollar trading losses at JPMorgan Chase, stepping up pressure on the bank after key U.S. agencies said they were looking into high-risk trades that first drew regulators' attention last month.

(Special) Misery, it seems, still loves to have a little bit of company.

BOSTON - Ask people what they think about Facebook, and you're likely to hear everything from "It's a terrific way to connect with friends and family," to "It's a colossal drain on time and productivity."

OTTAWA - For most Canadians their home is the biggest investment they'll ever make — but they might be surprised to learn you can use if for more than just sleeping.

MONTREAL - Did you ever get an email saying a package couldn't be delivered and you should click on the attachment for details?

(Special) - The way people work today is changing. The internet and computer technology increasingly is making it possible for people to telecommute and work from home. While working from home can have a number of advantages and perks, many Canadians may be misled about what expenses associated with a home-based office or business they are entitled to claim on their income tax returns.

OTTAWA - Home prices crept higher in March as a slowing Vancouver market was offset by an acceleration in prices in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, according to a report by the Canadian Real Estate Association.

(Action Economics) - 16-May-12 05:59 - AUD-USD headed towards 0.9900 as regional accounts shunned growth-related currencies.

(Action Economics) - 15-May-12 18:37 - USD-CAD spiked to highs over 1.0045 from under parity after the news broke that There will be new Greek elections.

(Action Economics) - 16-May-12 10:43 - EUR-CHF tried to trade lower, but did not progress beyond 1.2008 due to large Swiss name bids ahead of SNB's lower limit at 1.2000.

(Action Economics) - 16-May-12 10:43 - GBP slumped on the BoE Inflation Report, which forced Cable from 1.5975 below 1.5900, while EUR-GBP bounced from 0.7967 towards 0.8000, where strong offers capped.

(Action Economics) - 16-May-12 10:42 - EUR-USD registered fresh trend lows around 1.2680-85 in early trade before light profit taking went through after very large bids put a floor in place from 1.2680.

(Action Economics) - 15-May-12 19:06 - The dollar rallied again on Tuesday, as European fears drove the market to safety.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Already expected to be the largest-ever initial public offering for an Internet company, Facebook is making its IPO even bigger.

REGINA - A fire forced the evacuation of the Federated Co-Operatives refinery in Regina, but the company says there were no injuries.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Facebook's reach is wide but not deep. Few users surveyed in an Associated Press-CNBC poll say they click on the site's ads or buy the virtual goods that make money for it.

OMAHA, Neb. - Warren Buffett's company is apparently bullish on the U.S. auto industry.

OTTAWA - The Harper government sent confusing signals Tuesday about coming changes to employment insurance rules, declaring in favour of a hardline approach while indicating the new measures will be moderate.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A lawsuit challenging petroleum exploration in Alaska's Cook Inlet was filed Tuesday by four groups, including an Alaska Native village, that claim seismic testing will harm endangered beluga whales.