As oil and gasoline prices plunge and the economy slumps, the ethanol industry has seen its fortunes decline rapidly.

Falling prices, credit woes and volatile costs for the corn from which ethanol is made are threatening producers.

In cutting across-the-board subsidies for biofuels, governments in Europe are discovering how difficult it can be to figure out whether a particular fuel has been produced in an environmentally friendly manner.

Congress is on the verge of telling American business to create a huge new industry capable of converting agricultural wastes and other plant material into automotive fuel.

Supporters of ethanol, a fuel made from corn, are gaining in their push to make it a major part of the nation's energy policy, despite persistent doubts about its economic and environmental benefits.

[at Barrons.com] - Hurt by the fallout from the Gulf disaster, deepwater driller Noble may hit bottom. Get ready for a gusher.

[at MarketWatch] - Shares of Petroleo Brasileiro SA are among the top advancers in the Brazilian equity market Friday after the oil giant launches what's poised to be the largest offering of stock on record.

[at MarketWatch] - Shares of Petroleo Brasileiro SA top advancers in the Brazilian equity market after the oil giant launches what's poised to be the largest offering of stock on record.

[Zacks] - Petrobras and the Brazilian government agreed to an oil-for-shares swap deal.

[at Minyanville] - Jobs report proved better than expected, Warren Buffett shows confidence in US economy by looking to diversify with a land acquisition in Brazil, and much more.

[Silicon Alley Insider] - The job report arrives, Earl moves up the coast, and why is Heidi Montag like Michael Jackson?

[Silicon Alley Insider] - The job report arrives, Earl moves up the coast, and why is Heidi Montag like Michael Jackson?