WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rising fears that the global economy will sink into a deep recession spread to markets around the world on signs the U.S. economy is slipping further.

Ask Americans how the economy is doing, and their answer is stark. It is not just bad, it is run-for-the-hills terrible. Consumer confidence is at its lowest level in almost 30 years.

The country is stuck in a slow-growth rut, the Federal Reserve suggested Wednesday. Higher prices for energy, food and other things are pinching people and businesses - reasons enough for the economy to be Americans' top concern heading into the presiden

The Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Business Optimism Index is a measure of business confidence in an economy. Released quarterly, it is based on a business sentiment survey that is designed to capture business expectations.

ARLINGTON, Va.----Former Congressman C. Thomas McMillen, chairman and chief executive officer of Homeland Security Capital Corporation , an international provider of radiological, nuclear, environmental, disaster relief and security solutions, will speak