INTERNATIONAL

EC OKs Blueprint for Prosperity: The European Community approved a plan aimed at pushing the region out of its worst slump in 50 years. The plan, aimed at creating 450,000 jobs over the next two years, got final endorsement at a meeting in Luxembourg of finance ministers of the bloc’s 12 countries. Restoring EC prosperity could bring a substantial boost to the U.S. economy. The EC countries are a major market for U.S. exports; the United States had a trade surplus of $8.8 billion with the EC last year. The plan focuses on capital projects and research and development.