BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Union's main business lobby said the European Central Bank's independence and inflation-fighting mandate are crucial to its credibility.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you very much. I’d like to thank Walter for that very kind introduction. I also really want to pay tribute to Jim Jones and the hard work that he has done as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and Security. In fact, Jim has ...

The Small Business Advisory Group (SBAG) has thrown in the towel on a key issue they reckon many small businesses want. They lobbied for a 12-month grievance-free period giving employers the right to hire and fire as they wish.

It seems hard to believe today, but some of the biggest names in business — Intel, Staples, Outback Steakhouse, Nike, Ben & Jerry's, Ford — were once startup firms.

June 17 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's central bank said borrowing costs at a 12-year high may be enough to cool demand and curb inflation, triggering a drop in the nation's currency as traders bet interest rates are on hold.