Shell makes $8.78 billion profit in Q1

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Europe's largest oil company, Thursday reported booming profits of $8.78 billion in the first quarter, up 60 percent from a year ago thanks to higher oil prices, gains on asset sales and improving refining operations.

Prices at the gas pump, now nearly $4 per gallon in the U.S., are higher than warranted by the supply of oil, Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry said on a conference call, though he declined to say when prices may begin to fall for consumers.

"It's a tighter market than it was, partly because of the loss of production in Libya which supports high-ish prices. Not necessarily today's level though," he told reporters in a …

Chesapeake Lodging shares tumbling in IPO debut

Shares of Chesapeake Lodging Trust are down about 5 percent in the real estate investment trust's IPO debut as broader markets are dropping for a third straight day.

Chesapeake raised $150 million Thursday night in its second attempt at going public in two months. It delayed its initial public offering in December, one …

Molleken praises Gretzky on `a sad day for hockey'

Lorne Molleken had just entered the room for his postgame pressconference Thursday night when the Blackhawks coach stopped short,quickly realizing what was on the television in front of him.

There was Wayne Gretzky all but announcing his retirement afterthe New York Rangers' 2-2 tie in Ottawa.

Gretzky said he was "99 percent sure" he had just played hisfinal game in his homeland. "It's going to take a miracle," Gretzkysaid when asked if there was a chance he would change his mind.That means Gretzky's career, marked by nine most valuableplayer awards and four Stanley Cup championships, will end Sunday atMadison Square Garden when the Rangers host the Pittsburgh …

Norfolk State tops Coppin State 55-53 in MEAC

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Rob Hampton hit a layup with 2 seconds remaining to lift Norfolk State over Coppin State 55-53 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.

The Spartans (12-19) trailed 51-44 with 6:32 left to play before scoring seven unanswered points, tying it at 51 with less than 4 minutes to go.

The teams traded a pair of free throws in the final 3:21 as both offenses combined to …

Fed extends deadline for consumer credit program

The Federal Reserve is giving investors two extra days to sign up for a $1 trillion program to jumpstart lending to consumers and small businesses.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Friday extended the deadline at the request of would-be participants _ such as hedge funds and private-equity firms _ to give them more time to complete their paperwork. Investors now must have their loan requests in to the Fed by March 19. The Fed will provide the three-year loans on March 25.

The much-awaited program, created by the Fed and the Treasury Department, will start off providing up to $200 billion in financing to investors, which in turn will use the money to …

New store the Apple of their eye

Technology buffs queued for hours for the opening of Bath's newApple store.

Staff cheered as more than 600 excited customers made their wayinto Apple's new SouthGate store in its first hour of business onSaturday mor ning.

A number of them had started queuing in the early hours for theopening of the store, which will be something of a rival to thecity's independent Apple dealer Farpoint.

First in line were 18-year-old students Felix Renicks and MilesArmstrong, who had been camped outside since 4am for the 10amopening.

Felix said: "We were the only people here till 7am, then thecrowds started to gather. I think the reason Apple is so successfuland …

Heatley, Emery Lead Senators Past Bruins

BOSTON - The Ottawa Senators seem to have solved the Boston Bruins. Dany Heatley scored his team-leading 29th and 30th goals, and Ray Emery stopped 18 shots for his fourth shutout to lead the Senators to 3-0 victory over the Bruins on Saturday night.

Chris Phillips also scored for Ottawa, winners of five straight road games and six of seven overall. The Senators have won the last two meetings against Boston after losing the first three this season.

The Senators didn't do anything fancy. They grabbed a lead and played well in front of Emery.

"It was nice. We've had struggles with Boston this season, but beat them the last two," Heatley said. "We need these points. …