economy
Growth rate revised upward
Second quarter was quite strong, government statistics show. Talk emerges that it could represent cycle's high-water mark.
• First-time jobless claims dip | SEC maps accounting change

financials
MBIA reassures investors
Signs that bond insurer can attract new business despite credit crunch pacify rallying shares of mortgage and bond insurers.
• Lehman to lay off 1,500, about 6% of workforce: report
• Bank of China dazzles as Western banks disappoint (First Take)

CLIMATE and commodities Gustav heading for Jamaica Tropical storm marshals force as it barrels toward Jamaica, posing high risk of a direct hit in Texas or Louisiana by next week. Flooding has killed at least 22, reports say.  • Outlook for oil prices

• Gustav weakens over Haiti after killing two people   • Hanna becomes season's eighth Atlantic storm • Crude-oil futures turn lower, but storm fears loom over market

Special Report: The Digital Home

Smart and beautiful The future of the digital home is more than just a bunch of big-screen TVs and computers. It's design and construction that's smart, sustainable and offers the essentials that work well for your lifestyle. Second in a three-part weekly series on the new technology and investment opportunities of the digital home environment. More. THE DIGITAL HOME: THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS • Smarter homes are really about smarter people • It's smart, and it's art — and it's on exhibit at a Chicago museum • Q&A with 'smart home' architect Michelle Kaufmann • A graphical look at key components of today's digital house

Pakistan Karachi exchange sets floor On the first day of trading since securities regulator said they've set a floor for the Karachi Stock Exchange, whereby shares are not allowed to trade below their closing level as of Wednesday, stocks climb.

RETAIL
Tiffany boxes it up
High-end retailer posts earnings that almost double those of a year before after overseas demand helps offset declining U.S. sales.
• Williams-Sonoma sees no improvement | Sears' profit falls 62%

earnings preview
Dell on deck
PC maker expected to post strong sales growth after the bell, but some analysts voice concern over company's pricing and margins.

TRANSPORT
Aer Lingus predicts loss for the year
The Irish-flag carrier warns that it would need to further slash costs to ensure its long-term survival, and predicts a red ending for 2008.
• Toyota retools sales forecast | Who'll bite as Chrysler shops Viper?

HOUSING AND HOME LOANS
Rates lower, again
Weekly data again show benchmark U.S. loan rates in retreat.
• Shakeup in Fannie Mae's executive suite 
• Freddie Mac surges more than 85% over past week
• When exactly did CEO turn sour on Fannie exec team? (24/7 Wall St.)
• Calpers, others keeping close watch on Fannie, Freddie (WSJ.com)
• GSEs carry implications for election, and vice-versa 
• British home prices suffer biggest one-year drop in decades

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