Business News - AFP

LONDON (AFP) - British Airways on Tuesday launched legal action to stop cabin crew striking for 12 days over the extremely busy Christmas and New Year period in a row over working conditions. Full Story »

GENEVA (AFP) - Ecuador said on Tuesday that it had reached a deal with the European Union aimed at ending a long-running dispute between Latin American nations and the EU over tariffs on bananas. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Surging energy costs lifted wholesale prices by 1.8 percent in November, government data showed Tuesday, highlighting the volatility of inflation in recent months. Full Story »

EVERETT, Washington (AFP) - Boeing Co.'s new 787 Dreamliner jet is poised for its first test flight Tuesday, a critical milestone for the overdue aircraft seen as key to the future of the US aerospace giant. Full Story »

ATHENS (AFP) - Greece geared up to salvage its debt-ridden economy on Tuesday, sending a minister on a European visit to shore up credibility as analysts treated a crisis plan with scepticism. Full Story »

CHICAGO (AFP) - General Motors will repay its US government loans by the end of June, the automaker said Tuesday. Full Story »

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) - Airlines braced for another turbulent year on Tuesday as the industry association IATA forecast bigger than expected losses of 5.6 billion dollars in 2010 despite a recovery in passenger traffic. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Federal Reserve is expected to pledge ongoing stimulus support to a recovering US economy amid what is likely to be a heated debate on a so-called exit strategy. Full Story »

LONDON (AFP) - The euro hit a two-month low against the dollar Tuesday on fresh fears over the health of Austria's banks, while traders remained unconvinced by a Greek plan to tackle its soaring debt, analysts said. Full Story »

LONDON (AFP) - Europe's main stock markets dropped Tuesday on profit-taking after three days of gains, while dealers reacted to events across the Atlantic, traders said. Full Story »