Boost for Obama as US jobless rate falls to four-year low

The US unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in almost four years, giving President Barack Obama a boost as the presidential race enters its final month.

South Korea resumes Iranian oil imports: Report

SEOUL: South Korea has resumed imports of Iranian crude oil after halting them in July due to Western sanctions targeting Tehran's nuclear programme, a report said today.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel to harden her stance on additional help for Greece and Spain

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hardening her stance on additional help for struggling euro zone economies like Greece and Spain as pressure from parliamentary allies and a looming election campaign shrink her room for manoeuvre in Europe.

China services industry slows as economy cools

China’s services sector last month grew at its weakest pace since at least March 2011, raising fears over an economic slowdown that officials are struggling to manage.

World Bank Sees Long Crisis Effect

WASHINGTON—The European debt crisis could weigh on the world economy for years, forcing policy makers to rethink their approaches to restoring growth and boosting job creation, the World Bank's new chief economist said in an interview Monday.

Iran's rial hits an all-time-low against the US dollar

Iran's currency, the rial, fell as much as 18% on Monday to a record low against the US dollar, according to media reports.

China's Economy Signals Continued Contraction in Manufacturing

BEIJING—A gauge of manufacturing activity in China rose slightly in September but remained in contractionary territory for the 11th consecutive month, indicating that the world's second-largest economy is still slowing.