Gas relief

The average price of a gallon of gas fell to $2.56 over the past two weeks as unemployment hurt demand, sending prices down 38 percent from a record high of $4.11 touched almost exactly one year ago. Prices may fall even more if the price of crude oil continues to drop and unemployment remains high, according to a national survey.

China growth

Economists predicted China’s second-quarter GDP, which is to be re leased on Thursday, will expand to 7.5 percent year-over-year, after growing 6.1 percent in the first quarter.

Blast threat

Workers at liquidated French car parts maker New Fabris are threaten ing to blow up their fac tory if they do not re ceive payouts by July 31 from auto groups Renault and Peugeot to compen sate for their lost jobs. They want the automak ers to pay $41,800 for each of the 336 staff at the factory in central France.

China air deal

China Eastern Airlines, releasing details of its agreed takeover of Shanghai Airlines, offered about $1.3 billion as it seeks to dominate air travel in the nation’s fin ancial capital.

$2.3B Friends

UK buyout firm Reso lution Ltd. made an all- share bid for British in surer Friends Provident, said two people familiar with the matter. The offer isn’t much above the $2.3 billion market value of the company, said the people, who de clined to be identified be cause the bid is confiden tial.