Fitch warns France could be downgraded next year

(Reuters) - Fitch Ratings could strip France of its triple-A credit status next year if the country fails to meet its targets on debt reduction and its economy performs worse than forecast, one of the agency's top sovereign experts warned on Wednesday.

Federal Reserve should keep rates low until unemployment hits 6.5%, says Charles Evans

TORONTO/BERLIN: Deep divisions at the Federal Reserve were on display on Tuesday, just two weeks before the US central bank's next policy-setting meeting, with one top Fed official pushing for more easing, and another advocating limits.

Greek bailout deal is a classic fudge – but should work for now

There was something for everyone in the latest Greek debt deal. Athens gets enough money to stop the country going bust, Angela Merkel has done enough to keep Greece in the euro until after next year's German elections.

Italian consumer confidence falls to record low in Nov

ROME (Reuters) - Italian consumer confidence has hit a record low this month, battered by a bleak economic outlook and squeezed family finances, data showed on Monday.

Russia's Medvedev criticizes France for backing Syrian rebels

(Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, speaking before a visit to Paris on Monday, criticized France's support for the Syrian opposition and accused European Union leaders of indecisiveness in dealing with the region's economic crisis.

ECB chief Mario Draghi sees 'relative return' of eurozone confidence

FRANKFURT: European Central Bank president Mario Draghi told a banking conference on Friday that there had been a "relative return of confidence" in the future of the eurozone.

China's Economy May Be Turning The Corner

China’s economy may be turning the corner, according to the just released China HSBC Flash Manufacturing Index (PMI), which rose to 13-month high of 50.4 in November.

Forget Nobel Peace Prize, EU launches summit warfare

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union may have won the Nobel Peace Prize this year, but to many EU leaders, officials, diplomats and even journalists, it can feel more like a torture chamber.

Italy, Germany, Poland appeal against euroscepticism

NAPLES, ITALY: Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano and his German and Polish counterparts launched an appeal on Monday for unity in the face of growing euroscepticism as the European economic downturn drags on.

Clinton says budget deal critical to U.S. global role, security

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday that reaching a deal to resolve America's budget crisis is critical to its global leadership and national security and would bolster efforts to project U.S. economic power around the world.

Bernanke blames banks for holding back housing market

Ben Bernanke has said that the overly stringent lending requirements of banks are hurting the US housing recovery.

Japan election may ease economic gloom

HONG KONG (CNNMoney) -- Japan's prime minister dissolved the lower house of parliament Friday to avoid a disastrous freeze in government spending, triggering elections that could result in more aggressive policies to stimulate the country's economy.

Russia expects new Chinese leadership to deepen ties

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday the naming of a new leadership in China would lead to stronger relations between the political and economic heavyweight neighbors.

U.K. growth slowing as Europe weakens

LONDON (CNNMoney) -- The U.K. economy may contract further in the fourth quarter, and growth will be subdued for the foreseeable future, as the eurozone crisis dampens demand for exports, the Bank of England said Wednesday.

'Fiscal cliff' already affecting US economy: Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan

WASHINGTON: Fiscal brinkmanship in Washington is already affecting the U.S. economy as worried businesses invest less in equipment, Bank of America Corp Chief Executive Brian Moynihan said.

Merkel insists on austerity despite protests

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel took her fiscal discipline message to bailed-out Portugal on Monday, tolerating Nazi jibes from a small group of protesters as she advocated the benefits of austerity and economic reforms.

Barack Obama urges immediate tax cut extension for middle class

Congress Saturday to immediately extend a tax cut for middle-class Americans, arguing the move will give 98 per cent of families and 97 per cent of small businesses the certainty that will lead to faster economic growth.

China says effectively turning the corner on the economy

BEIJING (Reuters) - China announced on Saturday that it is effectively turning the corner on the economy and likely to meet its growth target for the year, more good news for Communist Party policy makers meeting in Beijing to anoint new leaders for the next decade.

Greece seeks urgent bridge financing

Greece is to make an urgent bid to raise funds from the financial markets in case it does not get another tranche of bailout aid in time to repay debts.

US jobless claims fall though storm distorts data

WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, a sign the labor market's slow recovery was gaining traction although a severe storm distorted the data.

Canadian PM Harper says he fears greater global protectionism

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A trend toward greater protectionism was pushing the world toward a prolonged recession, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Wednesday, although he added an economic catastrophe could be averted.

France to raise VAT to fund company tax breaks

The French government has said it will raise value added tax and cut public spending in order to fund tax credits for firms that keep jobs in France.

Hungary says EU cut in its funds would be a shame

(Reuters) - The European Union risks undermining the credibility of its drive against national budget overshoots if it strips Hungary of structural funds as punishment for running an excessive deficit, a leader of the ruling Fidesz party said.

South Sudan could pump some oil by end-Nov: minister

JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudan could resume producing up to 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil within a month, its oil minister said on Saturday, after a nine-month shutdown that has battered the country's economy.

Obama, Romney take aim at key Midwestern swing states

HILLIARD, Ohio (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney made late pitches in the political battlegrounds of the upper Midwest on Friday, a region likely to decide the winner in next week's closely fought election for the White House.

Indonesia Growth Seen Exceeding 6% Reduces Need for Rate Cut

Indonesia’s economic growth probably held above 6 percent last quarter, as domestic spending and rising investment countered falling exports, giving the central bank room to refrain from cutting interest rates.

Greek Stocks Tumble Amid Concerns on Government Stability

Greek stocks are headed for the biggest weekly retreat in four years as coalition government lawmakers squabble over austerity measures needed to guarantee the flow of bailout funds and keep the nation in the euro.

Canada economy shrinks in August, clouds outlook

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian economy shrank in August for the first time in six months, an unexpected contraction that pointed to a sharp slowdown in third-quarter growth and reinforced the Bank of Canada's message that interest rate hikes are less imminent.