Principal content
Optimism rises in European industry
European manufacturers are more optimistic that they will be able to raise output, profits and employment in 2007 than they were a year ago, raising the likelihood of interest rate rises, according to a survey.
US visit to Asia likely to shore up N-deal
Negroponte may visit N Korea
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PwC to axe scandal-hit affiliate
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First cut since the 2003 invasion
10,000 jobs to go at Airbus
De Villepin reveals planned closures
Court rules on Parmalat settlement
BofA welcomes ‘equitable’ Deloitte deal
Warner gets support for fresh approach to EMI
Secures agreement of independent labels
Royal awaits ‘bounce’ from TV performance
Set to present reshuffled campaign team
Investment banking boosts Barclays
Increase of 35 per cent to £7.14bn
Lex
Airlines & private equity
What does it mean when private equity starts sniffing around the notoriously unstable airline industry?
Comment
As long as it is trapped, the Russian bear will growl

Under Putin, the country is reverting to central control. It must throw in its lot with the west if it wants to avoid a bleak future, writes Martin Wolf.
Business life
‘I am a foreigner and my views are ignored’

Lucy Kellaway analyses your workplace woes in her ‘Agony Aunt’ column. Send in your own queries – or suggest a solution to someone else’s problem.