Quebec student protests hurting bar district
MONTREAL - Bar hopping, shopping and dining out in downtown Montreal are taking a hit due to ongoing student protests that business owners say are chasing their customers away due to traffic headaches.

• Protesters storm classes, force out students
• Sneak preview of fed mask ban comes to Montreal?
• Police violated civil rights at G20: report
• Former mayor lays Pickton blame on police

Fed: Several members could support further easing
WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve policymakers are open to further efforts to stimulate the U.S. economy if growth falters or threats escalate.

• Egypt Brotherhood takes harder line in campaign
• Dancer: $1,000 buttocks enhancement damaged lungs
• Eurozone at turning point, says Flaherty
• Here's how to travel 25,000 miles without a penny

Austrian police track young thieves to playground
VIENNA - This was no ordinary heist. The culprits were a pair of 8-year-olds and they hid their stash at the playground.

• French mystery: Hair dryers mailed to New Zealand
• Teen arrested after homework left at crime scene
• Man gets trapped in furnace eluding police
• Big bear stands up to cops, then runs away

Most actively traded companies on the TSX
TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange:

• TSX gives up early gains, commodities slide
• Price of oil still falling as supplies grow
• Loonie lower amid Greek political anxiety
• Fed: Several members could support further easing

Chuck Brown, pioneer of 'go-go' funk music, dies
WASHINGTON - Chuck Brown, who styled a unique brand of funk music as a singer, guitarist and songwriter known as the "godfather of go-go," has died after suffering from pneumonia. He was 75.

• Cronenberg father-son double-team Cannes
• The wild bus ride of Broadway's 'Priscilla' to end
• Alan Doyle branches out on first solo CD
• Game over: Tia Mowry not returning to BET's 'Game'

Antibiotic linked with rare but deadly heart risk
CHICAGO - An antibiotic widely used for bronchitis and other common infections seems to increase chances for sudden deadly heart problems, a rare but surprising risk found in a 14-year study.

• Study finds coffee drinkers live longer
• Scientists link brain disease to blasts
• Study links vets to brain disease seen in athletes
• BC adults should get insulin pumps: CDA says

Jays' Brett Lawrie suspended four games
TORONTO - Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie has been suspended four games after hitting an umpire with his helmet.

• Kenny Dalglish fired as Liverpool manager
• Ex-Syracuse hoops coach's wife: Life is ruined
• Edmonton, Rochester prepare for NLL final
• Hockey players try to best world record

Here's how to travel 25,000 miles without a penny
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Michael Wigge left Berlin without a penny and travelled 25,000 miles (40,230 kilometres) to Antarctica, hitchhiking, bartering and working his way by ship, plane, car and foot, from Europe to Canada and the U.S. and then through Latin America.

• Tropicana plans $25M renovation
• 3-day Asbury beach concert a logistical challenge
• Congress considers threats from airport employees
• NY's Met Museum lets visitors climb to cloud 9

Freedom from debt key to retirement: poll
WATERLOO, Ont. - Nearly nine in 10 Canadian homeowners surveyed recently said that being debt-free was key to their idea of a successful retirement — even more than most lifestyle factors.

• Canadians, Americans share retirement angst
• Facebook in your mutual fund? It could be soon
• Time to cash in on hot real estate market?
• Online con jobs can be deceptively simple

Alan Doyle branches out on first solo CD
TORONTO - Alan Doyle remembers with uncommon clarity the first time he held a Great Big Sea album in his hands.

• 'Shape Shifter' among new CDs
• 'Blown Away' top album on iTunes in Canada
• Cohen accepts Glenn Gould Prize in Toronto
• Pride says Canuck promoters didn't discriminate

ICE Futures Canada prices closed lower
WINNIPEG - Closing prices:

• Deere fiscal 2Q profit rises, beats expectations
• Report: Female farmworkers in US suffer sex abuse
• Pasta plant delay doesn't faze Ritz
• School nixes adoption of 'enviropigs'