Analysts see slow adoption of ‘ultra-HD’ TVs as makers prepare new models

Prime Minister David Cameron predicted a difficult year for the U.K. economy that will require maintaining the current mix of low interest rates and budget-deficit reduction. “It’s a tough economic environment that we’re in,” Cameron said on BBC Television’s “Andrew Marr Show.” “Right now, Britain needs low interest rates.” Cameron indicated in a Sunday Telegraph interview that he would like to stay in office another seven years, even as an opinion poll suggested his Conservative Party will lose

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi will turn his attention to nursing the euro region back to economic health this week as the urgency to deploy crisis measures recedes after three years. Draghi’s Governing Council, which sits for its first session this year on Jan. 10, will seek to extend the calm it’s instilled on markets with last year’s pledge to do anything in its power to end the crisis, economists said. While policy makers will likely keep interest rates unchanged for now, the t

China's economic growth will likely exceed 8 percent this year on the back of stimulus measures, recovering slightly from last year's slower growth, a Chinese financial daily said Monday.The Beijing-based Securities Daily, a media outlet designated by China Securities Regulatory Commission, said China's economy will grow 8.2 percent this year, higher than an estimated 7.7 percent growth in 2012. "With the effect of policy measures gradually emerging, the Chinese economy in 2013 is expected to ac

NEW YORK (AP) -- The makers of Thomas' English muffins and Tastykake snacks are emerging as two of the bidders for Wonder Bread and other Hostess bread brands as the company tries to sell off its assets under bankruptcy-court oversight, a newspaper reported Saturday.The Wall Street Journal said Hostess Brands Inc. could reveal as early as next week that Flowers Foods Inc. and Grupo Bimbo SAB are in discussions to acquire its bread brands, which also include Nature's Pride. The report said the br

WASHINGTON (AP) ― The U.S. Congress’ frantic resolution of the “fiscal cliff’’ crisis this week is the latest in a long series of decisions by lawmakers and the White House to do less than promised ― and to ask Americans for little sacrifice ― in confronting the nation’s growing debt.The deal will generate $600 billion in new revenue over 10 years, less than half the amount President Barack Obama first called for. It will raise income tax rates only on the very rich, despite Obama’s campaign for

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) ― The rival presidents of Sudan and South Sudan agreed Saturday to abide by timelines to be drawn up to implement a raft of security, oil and border deals stalled for over three months, mediators said.With the two neighbors increasingly cash-strapped after a spat led Juba to shut down its oil output a year ago, the announcement offered fresh hope of a breakthrough in long-running talks to end the crisis.African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki said at the end of a summit meeting in t

WASHINGTON (AP) ― The new Congress on Friday rushed out $9.7 billion to help pay flood insurance claims to 115,000 people and businesses afflicted by Superstorm Sandy, two days after New Jersey’s governor and other Northeast Republicans upbraided Speaker John Boehner for killing a broader package for state and local governments in the storm’s path.The bill replenishes the National Flood Insurance Program that was due to run out of money next week with the pending Sandy-related claims as well as

DETROIT (AP) ― Strong U.S. sales in December capped a remarkable year for the auto industry ― especially Japanese brands ― and 2013 should be even better. Sales of new cars and trucks are expected to total 14.5 million after all carmakers announce figures on Thursday. That is 13 percent better than 2011 and the best performance in five years. In 2012, Americans had plenty of incentive to buy new cars and trucks. Unemployment eased. Home sales and prices rose. And the average age of a car topped