Merkel Warns Putin That East Ukraine Vote Must Conform to Law

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande warned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday that any elections held in eastern Ukraine must conform to that country’s laws.

Japan's July factory output seen rising at slower pace on weak demand

TOKYO(Reuters) - Japan's factory output is expected to have risen at a much slower pace in July on weakening demand from overseas, a Reuters poll showed, adding to concerns of a labored economic recovery from a second quarter slump.

World Risks Third Food-Price Surge in a Decade on Record El Nino

The El Nino weather pattern sweeping the globe for the first time in five years risks setting off the next great surge in world food prices after they rose to records in 2008 and 2011, according to Nomura International Ltd.

Signs, Long Unheeded, Now Point to Risks in U.S. Economy

As investors scramble to make sense of the wild market swings in recent days, a number of financial experts argue that, for more than a year now, signs pointing to an equity crisis were there for all to see.

China needs to open up about its economy

Many of the worries over China's economy and markets can be boiled down to a single word: Uncertainty.

Brazil has 2 kinds of problems, and they're both bad

Five years ago, Brazil was growing at 7.5 percent. Today, it's struggling with a 9.56 percent inflation rate and a fiscal deficit.

Harper urges voters to pick Conservatives amid global economic instability

After a day of global economic turmoil, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper urged voters to entrust his party with the economy for another term.

How cheap oil will hurt Iran's comeback

Iran may be about to emerge from decades of economic isolation -- at an absolutely terrible time for an oil-producing country.

Why China is the bull in a US shop

When the second-largest economy in the world plays games with its currency, it’s Americans who suffer.

Arab Bank Settles Hamas Terror Case Set for Trial

Arab Bank Plc settled a U.S. lawsuit with hundreds of terror victims who accused it of financing a wave of violence that killed or wounded Americans in Israel in the early 2000s.

Greece to get 6 bln euros in bridge loans if no agreement at Eurogroup -report

Aug 14 Greece could get 6.04 billion euros in bridge financing if euro zone finance ministers cannot agree on the planned third bailout for Athens when they meet on Friday, according to German newspaper Bild, citing a European Commission proposal for the meeting.

Malaysia Growth Cools as Pressure Builds to Boost Confidence

Malaysia’s economy expanded the least in almost two years after a new consumption tax curbed private spending, adding pressure on policy makers to revive confidence in a nation facing political turmoil and a weakening currency.

Yuan devaluation boosts Chinese shares, hurts other markets

Hong Kong (AFP) - China's central bank on Tuesday devalued its yuan currency by nearly two percent against the US dollar, as authorities seek to push market reforms and bolster the world's second-largest economy.

Scottish economy 'thriving' - report

Scotland's economy is thriving despite global economic unrest, according to a business survey.

Russia is facing a fuel shortage

The head of Russia's biggest oil company is warning that the world's second largest oil producing nation could soon face a fuel shortfall.

Record imports swell US trade deficit

Record imports, the strong dollar and growing consumer demand helped to widen the US trade deficit by 7.1% in June.

China to Set Up ‘Security Offices’ Inside Internet Companies

China plans to set up “network security offices” staffed by police inside major Internet companies, a move to strengthen the government’s grip on the world’s largest population of Web users.

Size of Ireland's economy surpasses pre-global crisis levels

Ireland’s economy has surpassed the size it reached at the peak of the “Celtic Tiger” boom, official figures have revealed, in the latest evidence that the country is shrugging off the legacy of the crash.

Pacific Trade Talks in Hawaii Said to Near End Without Deal

Negotiators from the U.S. and 11 Asia-Pacific countries are unlikely to sign off on a free-trade agreement after a four-day meeting in Hawaii, according to a person briefed on the talks.

U.K.’s Budget Master Plans for More Pain

When the Conservative Party won an unexpected majority in U.K. elections in May, it didn’t just mean George Osborne would get to keep his job as chancellor of the exchequer. It also put the keys to 10 Downing Street within his grasp.

Kuwait urges Saudi to resume output at disputed oil field

Kuwait City (AFP) - Kuwait has called on Saudi Arabia to resume production at a disputed border oil field, saying its neighbour will be held responsible for revenue losses, reports said Tuesday.

China and the dollar may be about to collide

Who wants a boring Monday, anyway? Chinese shares saw the biggest daily fall since 2007 overnight, partly on fears that officials may be trying to pull back on supporting the market.

Gold sinks to 2010 levels

Gold fell to its lowest price for more than five years last week, as the precious metal was buffeted by the deal to avert a Greek bankruptcy, a potential US interest rate increase and a sharp selloff in China.

Federal Reserve draws criticism after mistakenly releasing rate forecast

Staff economists at the Federal Reserve expect a quarter-point US interest rate increase this year, according to forecasts the Fed mistakenly published on its website in a gaffe that drew criticism of its ability to keep secrets.

Bank of England warns Greek debt crisis could delay interest rate rise

Bank of England policymakers are concerned that backsliding in talks to resolve the Greek debt crisis could delay Britain’s first interest rate rise in eight years, but admitted that the prospect of a hike is increasing as the UK economy strengthens.

Oil prices rebound slightly after ducking under $50

London (AFP) - World oil prices ducked briefly under $50 per barrel on Tuesday, before staging a modest rebound on the eve of the latest snapshot of US crude inventories.

China's corporate debt 160 of GDP twice US level

HONG KONG: Beijing may have averted a crisis in its stock markets with heavy-handed intervention but the world's biggest corporate debt pile 16.1 trillion and rising is a much greater threat to its slowing economy and will not be so easily managed.

Cameron Seeks to Intensify U.K.’s Campaign Against Islamic State

Prime Minister David Cameron said he wants the U.K. to take a bigger role in the struggle to destroy Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

Experts believe China is building a 'Facebook of human intelligence'

The US has been hacked numerous times over the last many years. Isolated as these incidents may have seen, it’s now becoming clear that a unified entity is behind these huge breaches.

EU Populists Vindicated by Tsipras’s Struggle Take Aim at Euro

Just because Alexis Tsipras had to bow to pressure from creditors, don’t expect the European Union’s renegade movements to give up their struggle anytime soon.

China Retakes Top Oil-Buyer Spot From U.S. Amid Stockpiling

China regained its status from the U.S. as the world’s biggest crude oil importer as shipments surged to fill the Asian country’s strategic petroleum reserves.

Euro zone demands more from Greece, delays decision on aid

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Skeptical euro zone finance ministers demanded on Saturday that Greece go beyond painful austerity measures accepted by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras if he wants them to open negotiations on a third bailout for his bankrupt country to keep it in the euro.

China's underground banks spread pain as defaults rise

BEIJING (AP) — Fan Xiaolin, an engineer in Changsha in central China, thought he was safe when he deposited his family's savings of 800,000 yuan ($130,000) in a private finance company he said was recommended by employees of state-owned Bank of China.

Greece Can Easily Get Funding From BRICS Bank: Russia

Russia said Greece could get financing from the New Development Bank operated by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) if it buys a few shares of the institution to become a member.

IMF warns Fed on risks of hiking too soon

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Hiking interest rates too soon could stall the U.S. economy, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday, embellishing a prior call for the Federal Reserve to hold steady until early next year.

China June inflation seen edging up to 1.3 percent year-on-year but still sluggish

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's consumer inflation likely edged up in June as food prices steadied, while producer prices extended their decline well into a fourth year, reinforcing expectations that more support measures are needed to revive sluggish demand.

Canada Recession Threat Renews Rate-Cut Calls

The threat of a recession and lower interest rates in Canada are making the Group of Seven’s best-performing bond market even more attractive.

Greece crisis: Eurozone rules out talks until after referendum

Eurozone finance ministers have ruled out any further talks on a fresh bailout for Greece until the country holds its referendum on Sunday.

How the Newest U.S. Export May Leave Russia With Excess Gas

With the U.S. as a potential source of gas, Russia has less leverage with a once-dependent Europe.

Interest rates rise could derail recovery, Bank of England economist warns

Raising interest rates too soon from their record low to head off inflation could be a self-defeating move that tips the UK back into recession, Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane is to warn.

Auditor Warns of Risks From Local Debt in China

SHANGHAI — The head of China’s national audit office warned on Monday that the country was facing growing risks because of a sharp rise in local government debt and poor controls over borrowing by investment companies set up by municipalities, provinces and other bodies.

Bank of Canada takes aim at Dodd-Frank on bank failures

WINDSOR, Ontario (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada, frustrated by unilateral U.S. moves which regulate Canadian banks with U.S. subsidiaries, called on Thursday for the two countries to work out a bilateral agreement to clarify responsibilities in winding up failed banks.

Greek debt talks go into weekend as default deadline looms

BRUSSELS (AP) — The bitter standoff between Greece and its international creditors was extended into the weekend, just days before Athens has to meet a crucial debt deadline which could decide whether it goes bankrupt and gets kicked out of the euro currency club.

Cameron to hint at assault on tax credits in welfare speech

David Cameron is to deliver his strongest hint yet that he intends to launch an assault on tax credits as he pledges to end the “merry-go-round” of welfare payments that means low wages are topped up by the state.

China, US set for ‘vigorous’ talks on trade, South China Sea issues

Washington, United States | AFP – The United States is vowing not to “paper over” differences with China at key talks this week weighed down by thorny issues of trade, cyber spying and tensions in the South China Sea.

BOJ keeps upbeat view of economy, maintains asset purchases

TOKYO, June 19 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady and maintained its upbeat assessment of the economy on Friday, signalling its conviction that inflation will hit its 2 percent target without additional monetary stimulus.

Greece Buys Time From ECB as Tsipras Says Country Will Prevail

Greece secured a few more days of financial breathing space from the European Central Bank, as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on a visit to Russia that his country can survive its current crisis.

Emerging Markets Hold the Keys to Higher Gold Prices

Gold investors better start paying attention to China and India. After dismal performance for the past two and half years, HSBC Securities analyst James Steel says that emerging-market demand will be the key driver for gold prices.

Iran urges France not to miss out on $80 billion of transport deals

PARIS (Reuters) - Iran's transport minister said on Tuesday there was about $80 billion worth of business up for grabs in his sector, including the renewal of the country's air fleet, but warned France it risked missing out unless it changed its stance toward Tehran.

Greek talks must yield imminent agreement, says European Central Bank

Mario Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank, has warned that time is rapidly running out to resolve the Greek debt crisis, as financial markets took fright at the prospect of a looming default.

Zimbabweans get chance to swap 'quadrillions' for a few US dollars

Zimbabweans will start exchanging “quadrillions” of local dollars for a few US dollars next week as President Robert Mugabe’s government discards its virtually worthless national currency.

New Zealand cuts interest rate quarter point to 3.25 percent

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's central bank on Thursday cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point to 3.25 percent and signaled more cuts could be on the way as farmers grapple with a slump in prices for the country's key milk exports.

Draghi Economy Fails to Stoke Cash Machine for Europe Stocks

Europe’s economy is expanding under Mario Draghi’s stimulus, profits are rising, and the market is up. And yet the proportion of income companies are poised to return to shareholders in 2015 will probably be the lowest in five years.

Europe Vows at G-7 to Fight Crises From Russia to Syria, Greece

European leaders assured U.S. President Barack Obama that they’re up to dealing with regional crises from the Russia-Ukraine standoff and jihadism in the Middle East to the upsurge in migration across the Mediterranean Sea.

Golbal Economy Weekahead: Pick-up continues as Greek drama plays on

LONDON (Reuters) - Economic indicators are this week expected to show signs of continued, if modest, progress in much of the world -- all of which could be blown off course if the standoff between Greece and its lenders leads to a rupture in the euro zone.

China’s Online Lending Boom Spurs Startups, Investment and Risk

Though peer-to-peer lending was pioneered in the U.S. by companies such as LendingClub Corp., China is where it’s really taking off.

The U.S. and world economies are slowing down

The world economy is on track to grow less this year than last year, according to the latest forecast from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Alexis Tsipras to face take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum from lenders over debt offer

The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, will be presented with what is expected to be a take-it-or-leave-it plan on Wednesday after five months of drama-filled negotiations to keep his debt-stricken country afloat.

Euro zone inflation beats expectations in May

Inflation in the euro zone was higher than expected in May, data on Tuesday showed, in a sign that price pressures are returning to a recovering economy.

Ruble Slides to Five-Week Low as Russia Limits Supply of Dollars

The ruble slid to a five-week low as the central bank suspended some foreign-exchange auctions, stepping up measures to counter this year’s biggest currency rally.

China Wants to Internationalize Its Currency, So It's Easing Capital Restrictions

You can’t buy a beer with it. You can’t trade in it. Yet China’s push to win an arcane currency status bestowed by the International Monetary Fund is driving policy makers in Beijing to ease capital restrictions.

Nicola Sturgeon attacks UK government's spending cuts

Nicola Sturgeon has attacked the “scale and speed” of government spending cuts, while pledging that the Scottish government will campaign for the UK to stay in the EU.

Iran Wants To Overcome Differences With Saudi-Arabia

Iran’s oil minister, Bijan Zanganeh, says that despite their general differences over Islam and specific quarrel over Yemen, his country and Saudi Arabia have more in common than may be immediately evident.

Egypt Tax Delay Means Rich Pay Less to Cut Deficit: IMF

The International Monetary Fund criticized Egypt’s decision to delay imposing capital gains tax on stocks because it means that the cost of shoring up public finances will be borne by “people who are less able to afford it.”

EU agrees 1.8bn-euro loan to cash-strapped Ukraine

The EU has agreed a €1.8bn (£1.3bn; $2bn) loan to Ukraine - described as a landmark deal for a non-EU member.

Gap between rich and poor 'keeps growing'

The gap between the rich and the poor keeps widening, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says.

Canada Stocks Rise a 4th Day as Gold, Crude Producers Advance

Canadian stocks rose a fourth day, the longest stretch in five weeks, as energy producers gained after crude halted a five-day slump and gold mining companies increased ahead of Federal Reserve meeting minutes.

Deutsche Bank reviews cutting UK presence in Brexit scenario

Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE), the euro zone's second-largest bank by assets with large operations in Britain, has begun initial preparations for a possible UK exit from the European Union as Prime Minister David Cameron readies a referendum on the matter.

Islamic Extremism Perceptions Test Malaysian Investment Advocate

Overcoming foreign investor misconceptions that Malaysia harbors Islamic extremists and lacks infrastructure is Zainal Amanshah’s biggest challenge.

Dollar Drop Deepens as Sluggish Inflation Brings on Bearish Mood

Dollar bulls reeling from the longest losing streak in 19 months face further pain. U.S. inflation -- or rather the lack of it -- is back in the spotlight before monthly data and minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting that may show limits to the central bank’s tolerance for sluggish price gains.

Pacific and European trade deals may be back on track as US Senate votes again

The US Senate reached a compromise on Wednesday to advance Barack Obama’s sweeping trade agenda, one day after a failed vote dealt an early blow to the White House’s pursuit of new free trade agreements with Asia and Europe.