WASHINGTON - US AUTHORITIES announced on Wednesday the selection of nine fund managers for a public-private programme to buy up 'toxic assets' in the US banking system.

The programme, one of the elements of a plan to stabilise a shaky financial system, will be smaller than originally anticipated due to the improved health of financial institutions in recent months, officials said.

WASHINGTON - AMAZON on Wednesday cut the price of its electronic book reader, the Kindle, from US$359 (S$525) to US$299.

The online retail giant offered the Kindle on the homepage of its website for the new price but did not make any separate announcement about the move.

NEW YORK - WALL Street shares ended little changed on Wednesday with investors cautious about the economic outlook at the kickoff of the corporate earnings season.

At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average held a gain of 15.11 points (0.19 per cent) to 8,178.71, after wobbling in and out of positive territory.