Aid

ING plans $100M IPO of US investment business

By The Associated Press Dutch bank ING Groep NV will hold an initial public offering of stock to spin off its U.S.-based retirement, investment and insurance business, the company said Friday. ING expects the sale to raise about $100 million by selling shares of ING U.S. Inc., it said in a

Fannie, Freddie expand aid to storm-hit homeowners

MCLEAN, Va. (AP) - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are expanding their assistance to borrowers whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. The government-controlled mortgage companies said Friday that they will automatically suspend evictions and foreclosures in disaster areas for 90 days

After 3 bumpy years, Europe turns corner on crisis

By DAVID McHUGH and DON MELVINAssociated Press Writers FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The worst of Europe's financial crisis appears to be over. European leaders have taken steps to ease the panic that has plagued the region for three turbulent years. Financial markets are no longer in a state

UN warns of escalating humanitarian need in Syria

By EDITH M. LEDERERAssociated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations is warning that the number of people inside Syria needing humanitarian aid could rise sharply from 2.5 million now to 4 million by early next year if the civil war grinds on at its current deadly pace. John Ging,