US consumer spending up weak 0.1% in July

WASHINGTON: US consumers barely increased their spending in July after their income grew more slowly, held back by steep government spending cuts that reduced federal workers' salaries.

'Fiscal cliff' talks stalled for now, but progress possible

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers have made little progress in the last 10 days toward a compromise to avoid the harsh tax increases and government spending cuts scheduled for Jan. 1, a senior Democratic senator said on Sunday.