'God Particle' in focus as Nobel season kicks off
The Nobel season kicks off Monday amid expectations that the physics prize will honour the discovery of the "God Particle", while a Pakistani girl who was shot and nearly killed by the Taliban could receive the peace prize.
Shutdown forces EU, US to cancel trade deal talks
The second round of scheduled talks between top European Union and American officials to clinch the world's largest trade deal have been cancelled because of the US government shutdown.
Japan's Aso warns of 'consequences' of US debt default
Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso on Friday urged the United States to resolve political gridlock in Washington, warning of grim "consequences" for the global economy if it leads to a debt default.
US default could be 'catastrophic': Treasury
The US Treasury warned Thursday of a disastrous outcome if Congress's refusal to raise the country's borrowing ceiling forces it to default on obligations.
Unemployment remains dark spot in Spanish economy
Spain's government sees light at the end of the tunnel with the end to a two-year recession but analysts warn joblessness will continue to weigh down the eurozone's fourth-largest economy.
Brazil economy in need of reforms, reduced state bloat
Brazil, Latin America's economic behemoth, is in dire need of structural reforms and reduced government bloat to fuel sustainable growth.
US economy faces hefty hit if government shuts down
A US government shutdown would hit an economy struggling to sustain its post-crisis rebound, but experts say the impact will only be substantial if Washington's political paralysis lasts several weeks.
Ecuador becomes visa-free for Kazakhstan citizens
Kazakhstan and Ecuador has mutually cancelled the need for visas.
Japan reports weaker August factory data ahead of tax hike decision
Japan's factory output slipped more than expected in August but the government put an upbeat gloss on the data Monday, a day before Premier Shinzo Abe issues his long-awaited decision on hiking sales taxes.
Chinese tourists, diplomats make a splash in the Maldives
The travellers pouring off flight LV199 from Shanghai into the international airport of the Maldives, many dressed in designer labels, are an unmissable sign of China's interest in the far-flung archipelago.
Algeria smuggling crackdown cuts fuel line to Morocco
Until three months ago, petrol smuggling literally drove Morocco's neglected eastern region, where the subsidised liquid smuggled in from Algeria fuelled the local economy.
Migrant workers keep Thai fishing industry afloat
Sifting through freshly caught sardines at a port in southern Thailand, Shi-Jai is one of thousands of migrant workers -- including women and children -- who keep the kingdom's huge fishing industry in business.
Shale boom remakes US energy, economy
The US shale boom is remaking the nation's industrial landscape and raising the prospect of energy independence in the world's biggest oil consumer.
Global panel to make economic case on climate change
Mexico's former president Felipe Calderon said that climate action can boost both developed and emerging countries as he led a new commission bringing together government and business leaders.
Rail links Russia and sanctions-squeezed N. Korea
Russia and North Korea have reopened a rail link that Pyongyang hopes will offer a trading boost to the isolated, sanctions-squeezed state.
Triumphant Merkel to start search for coalition ally
The day after her stunning election triumph, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Monday set to start the process of haggling with potential partners over how to rule Europe's biggest economy.
Shanghai free trade zone will deal a blow to Hong Kong: Li
Asia's richest man Li Ka-shing warned that Shanghai's new free trade zone will have a "big impact" on Hong Kong, urging the city to up its game to avoid losing out.
Foreign inflows fuel Sri Lanka recovery: central bank
Sri Lanka's economy grew 6.8 percent in the second quarter, up from 6.0 percent last year thanks to foreign cash inflows which helped a recovery.
Bailouts still key issue as eurozone finance ministers meet
Eurozone finance ministers meet in calmer times Friday but still need to ensure bailed-out member states meet their targets amid growing speculation some will need more help to get back on track.
Astana plant to produce first KZ8A electric locomotives in March 2014
Astana-based plant will produce its first electric locomotives KZ8A in March 2014.