Kuwait MPs target financial help for citizens

KUWAIT (Reuters) - A parliamentary committee in Kuwait proposed on Sunday that the government pay a portion of the interest on citizens' personal loans and give a 1,000 Kuwaiti dinar ($3,500) gift to each Kuwaiti without such debts, state news agency KUNA reported.

Canadian retail sales disappoint in August

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian retail sales rose less than expected in August from July while volume fell, suggesting debt-laden consumers will provide only limited support to broader economic growth in the third quarter.

S.Africa aims to lift savings, cut budget strain

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa is looking to strengthen its social security system by encouraging a higher savings rate among its highly indebted households, which should help economic growth and reduce the burden on state finances, the Treasury said on Monday.