The question is whether the U.S. is prepared to lead or whether protectionist pressures will make it impossible to engage fully with trading partners.

A virtual futures exchange is being assembled to allow people to bet money on a film’s box office success.

The announcements by Ingersoll-Rand and Royal Dutch Shell come as the U.S. is pressing for new sanctions.

Economists said the data signaled a rebound in consumer demand in the U.S. and other Western markets.

The ban, announced by House Democratic leaders, wipes out one of the most lucrative and controversial means of awarding no-bid contracts to private firms.