LONDON European markets fell and Asian markets were mixed Friday as investors digested uneven readings on the U.S. economy and oil prices that remained near records. Japan posted its 12th straight day of losses.

SAPPORO, Japan Between surging oil prices, food inflation and a credit crunch that's depressed global growth, leaders from the Group of Eight economic powers face the gravest combination of economic woes in at least a decade when they gather next week.

SYDNEY, Australia BHP Billiton Ltd. said Friday that China's Baosteel, negotiating on behalf of the Chinese steel industry, agreed to price hikes of up to 96.5 percent for iron ore supplies this year following protracted negotiations.

DUBLIN, Ireland Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d1b0ee/private_hospitals) has announced the addition of the "Private Hospitals & Clinics (UK) - Portfolio Analysis" report to their offering.

NEW YORK Fireworks aren't the only thing skyrocketing on this Fourth of July. The price of gas has hit another all-time high.

BREST, France Officials from High Road Sports and Columbia Sportswear Company today officially unveiled the new, official Team Columbia uniform (also called the "kit") and equipment and announced the final roster for the Tour de France.

DUBLIN, Ireland Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c0a96e/private_equity_com) has announced the addition of the "Private Equity Companies (UK) - Portfolio Analysis" report to their offering.

GRAPEVINE, Texas The city of Grapevine, TX will remember the 33 flight crew members lost on September 11, 2001 in a moving dedication ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. today. The first significant national 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial will be dedicated at 1000 Texan Trail by Mayor William D. Tate; Valerie Thompson, an American Airlines Flight Attendant; members of the aviation community and friends and families of those lost on 9/11.

DUBLIN, Ireland Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fb10c8/incentive_travel) has announced the addition of the "Incentive Travel (UK) - Portfolio Analysis" report to their offering.

DUBLIN, Ireland Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2dc1ff/czech_republic_ins) has announced the addition of the "Czech Republic Insurance Report Q2 2008" report to their offering.

DUBLIN, Ireland Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fc5f4c/toy_model_shops) has announced the addition of the "Toy & Model Shops (UK) - Portfolio Analysis" report to their offering.

WASHINGTON The nation lost jobs for a sixth month in a row in June, a storm of pink slips drenching this year's July Fourth holiday for more than 60,000 Americans and leaving thousands more worried about the future.

DALLAS Many more job cuts, likely totaling more than 6,000, are likely at American Airlines as the nation's largest airline hunkers down and tries to survive record high fuel costs.

MELBOURNE, Australia Origin Energy Ltd., Australia's second largest power retailer, rejected a $13 billion takeover bid Friday from British natural gas producer BG Group.

TOKYO All Nippon Airways Co. is studying buying about five Airbus superjumbo A380s or other aircraft for long-haul routes, the Japanese carrier said Friday.

FRESNO, Calif. Expect fewer slices of red, ripe tomatoes next to the grill this holiday weekend.

BANGKOK, Thailand Oil prices remained near record highs above $145 a barrel in Asia after Saudi Arabia's oil minister suggested his country doesn't plan to boost production.

BEIJING Chrysler LLC, looking for foreign partnerships to help drive its business as U.S. sales slump, announced a deal with China's Great Wall Motor Co. on Friday to study sharing technology, components and distribution.

The top business news from The Associated Press for the morning of Friday, July 4, 2008:

TOKYO Japan's key stock index extended its longest slide in more than a half-century, as record oil prices intensified concerns over the impact on corporate earnings and consumer demand.