LONDON (AP) — Official figures show that consumer price inflation in Britain eased in April, largely on the back of lower fuel prices and airfares.The Office for National Statistics said Tuesday that the annual rate fell to 2.4 percent in April from 2.8 percent the previous month. The fall was bigger than … [Read more...]

PARIS (AP) — Here's how the struggling French economy stacks up compared to Germany's and Britain's.GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (2012)France: 2 trillion euros ($2.7 trillion)Germany: 2.6 trillion euros ($3.3 trillion)Britain: 1.9 trillion euros ($2.4 trillion)MANUFACTURING AS A PERCENT OF GDP (2009)France: 10.7 … [Read more...]

PARIS (AP) — The man charged with reviving France's shrinking economy and attracting businesses to invest there is gaining a reputation for doing the opposite.As the country's first-ever minister for industrial renewal, Arnaud Montebourg has told the world's largest steelmaker it is not welcome in France; … [Read more...]

BANGKOK (AP) — World stock markets were mixed Tuesday as investors waited for the U.S. Federal Reserve to telegraph what it plans to do next with its economic stimulus program.The Fed is conducting its third round of massive bond purchases known as quantitative easing to help drive down interest rates and … [Read more...]

LONDON (AP) — The chief executive of security firm G4S is to retire after a tumultuous year that saw the company fail to fulfill its Olympic contract.The company said Tuesday that Nick Buckles will be replaced by Ashley Almanza, a senior executive from the oil and gas company BG Group.G4S had agreed in … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee hopes to nail down an elusive compromise on high-tech visas and may punt a controversy over gay marriage to the full Senate as it makes final drafting decisions on immigration legislation that grants a shot at citizenship to millions living in the country … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is debating cuts to the federally subsidized crop insurance program as it considers a massive farm bill this week.The Obama administration said Monday it wants to see more cuts to crop insurance and farm subsidies in the legislation, which would cost almost $100 billion a year … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee hopes to nail down an elusive compromise on high-tech visas and may punt a controversy over gay marriage to the full Senate as it makes final decisions on immigration legislation giving a shot at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.At the … [Read more...]

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stock markets fell Tuesday as investors waited for the U.S. Federal Reserve to telegraph what it plans to do next with its economic stimulus program.The Fed is conducting its third round of massive bond purchases known as quantitative easing to help drive down interest rates and spur … [Read more...]

BANGKOK (AP) — The price of oil rose toward $97 per barrel Tuesday, but gains were checked as investors waited for the Federal Reserve's latest views on the U.S. economy.Benchmark crude for June delivery was up 16 cents to $96.87 per barrel at midday Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York … [Read more...]