Revised US GDP figures show shrinking economy over harsh winter

The US economy contracted for the first time in three years in early 2014 after a much worse performance than originally feared.

Federal Reserve leaves interest rates alone and pledges to continue stimulus

The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and reaffirmed its pledge to maintain its massive stimulus program amid further signs of a split in the central bank's committee and speculation that chairman Ben Bernanke is preparing to step down.