U.S., China Find Path on Iran

BEIJING—A steep drop-off in China's crude-oil imports from Iran earlier this year, which companies involved blamed on a contract dispute, has provided a face-saving way for Beijing to appease the U.S. even as it officially maintains opposition to U.S. sanctions against Tehran, analysts said.

Spain requests EU aid, market hopes dim

MADRID/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Spain formally requested euro zone rescue loans on Monday to recapitalize banks that are laden with bad debts as the euro and shares fell due to investors' skepticism that a European Union summit this week will act decisively on the bloc's debt crisis.

Sudan steps up crackdown on protests

CAIRO – Sudanese security forces used tear gas to break up anti-regime demonstrations in Khartoum on Sunday, opposition figures said, as the government vowed to press ahead with economic austerity measures that set off a wave of unrest last weekend.

Greek coalition seeks two extra years to meet bailout deficit targets

Greece's new coalition government has outlined the concessions it hopes to exact from Europe's leaders on its €130bn bailout package, as its two top politicians receive hospital treatment.

Sudanese protest over cuts amid security crackdown

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Hundreds of Sudanese joined anti-government demonstrations in Khartoum on Saturday, witnesses and activists said, pushing protests against tough spending cuts into a second week despite a security crackdown.

Spain to seek bank aid as borrowing costs soar

LUXEMBOURG/MADRID (Reuters) - Independent auditors said Spanish banks may need up to 62 billion euros in extra capital, to be filled mostly by a euro zone bailout, after Spain's medium-term borrowing costs spiraled to a euro-era record on Thursday.

Global economy: reasons to be fearful

Dark, lowering financial and economic clouds are, it seems, rolling in from every direction: the eurozone, the United States, China, and elsewhere. Indeed, the global economy in 2013 could be a very difficult environment in which to find shelter.