PATRICK McGROARTY AP Writer Berlin (AP) — German business confidence rose less than expected in May as sluggish demand weighed on construction and manufacturing, but the six-month outlook improved. The Munich-based Ifo institute’s business climate index increased to 84.2 points ...

Tagged with: economy Germany

Tali Arbel AP Business Writer New York (AP) — A private research’s group forecast of economic activity rose more than expected in April, the first gain in seven months and fresh evidence that the recession could end later this year. ...

Tagged with: economy

Jane Wardell AP Business Writer London — The bad news on the British economy mounted Thursday, with a warning that the country’s debt rating could be downgraded combining with weak housing market data to overshadow a surprise rise in retail ...

Tagged with: Britain economy

Tomoko A. Hosakato AP Writer Tokyo — Japan’s economy shrank at a record 15.2 percent annual pace in the first quarter, dragged down by plunging exports, thinner factory output and wary shoppers. But within the details emerged new hope. Economists ...

Tagged with: economy Japan

Wisconsin employers who discriminate will be met with pay penalties Madison (AP) — Wisconsin employers who discriminate against their workers will face stiffer penalties under a plan state lawmakers approved Wednesday. The state Assembly approved a bill that requires companies ...

Tagged with: discrimination economy employment Fox River jobless rate PCB

The Daily Reporter Staff With the words, “There’s something to be said for developers that go in when everyone else has walked away,” Chris Laurent told only half the story. Laurent, vice president of operations for residential developer MSP Real ...

Tagged with: economy MSP Real Estate Inc. recession