New York Times

Should a consumer protection agency have true independence, as many Democrats believe it should, so that it has real power to act on its own?

To get Berliners arguing, bring up the $3.4 billion mega-airport rising just beyond the limits of Germany’s hip but economically strapped capital.

Business has become so global that companies are giving cultural training even to those who never go overseas, because they work with people around the world.

The decision leaves Boeing as the likely winner of a contract that could eventually cost $100 billion.

TOKYO — Sony Corp said it will launch 3D televisions in Japan in June, entering an increasingly crowded field of competition for what many see as the next hot product in the electronics industry.

Asian stocks drifted lower on Tuesday as investors paused in their recent chase for riskier assets, while oil and higher-yielding currencies dropped.

Somewhat upbeat economic data, new tensions in Nigeria and reports that China plans to build up its reserves have lifted crude prices. Gasoline prices have followed.

France Télécom has already stopped several practices identified as being particularly disruptive, like forcing employees to change jobs and closing work sites.

Portugal’s plan relies on reducing investment, capping public sector wage growth, and selling off state assets.

The carmaker said reports of continued acceleration problems after a repair could be traced to improper work.

The exotic market bets, the prime minister said on Monday, will make it difficult for Greece to put its austerity program in place.

The joint venture offered $4.04 a share for the Australian energy company, which produces natural gas from coal beds.

The Brazilian government says it might raise tariffs on some American goods, but adds that the problem could be settled through negotiations.

France has not only weathered the global economic storm but has emerged as one of the strongest economies in Europe.

The latest deals leave the American International Group with no obvious sales to raise the money to pay the rest of its debt, roughly $50 billion, to the U.S.

Women at many of the world’s top companies continue to lag behind their male peers in pay and opportunities for professional advancement, a new report says.

The Australian company said Monday that it had received a takeover offer worth about $3 billion from a company owned by Royal Dutch Shell and PetroChina, the state-run gas and oil giant.

A push to make European safety standards for nuclear power plants binding worldwide might benefit France.

The Obama administration will offer homeowners $1,500 to sell for less than the mortgage balance.

The Treasury Department will issue a general license for the export of free personal Internet services and software geared toward Iran, Cuba and Sudan.