U.S. markets near holding pattern Tuesday ... Canadian manufacturing flat in 2007 ... Truckers protest fuel prices in capital ... Tips tight as economy slumps ... News from United Press International.

Worker productivity increased at a faster pace in the first three months of this year than previously estimated, wage pressures moderated and an important measure of business activity showed the service sector skirted recession in May.

With employers cutting thousands of jobs each month amid a slowing economy, many downsized workers decide to start their own small businesses. The transition can be daunting as these new entrepreneurs contend with challenges that many never faced before.

ROME -(Dow Jones)- Italy's largest business organization, the Confederation of Italian Industry, or Confindustria, and its primary labor unions edged closer Friday to an agreement on a plan to overhaul the country's antiquated wage system, aimed at boos

WHITE PLAINS – The Hudson Valley economy continues to exhibit weakness as private sector employment increased by only 1,700 jobs, or 0.2 percent year over year in July.