Oil-rich Kuwait warns welfare state unsustainableOil-rich Kuwait said Monday that the generous cradle-to-grave welfare system provided to its 1.2 million citizens was "unsustainable" and it was time for change.
29 October 2013
Sandy clean-up 'enormous' one year onA year after Hurricane Sandy, the United States still faces an enormous task to repair $60 billion worth of damage and improve resiliency before the next cyclone.
Japan gives muted welcome to US debt fixJapan's finance minister on Friday gave a muted welcome to the US debt deal, but hinted at the need for a more permanent solution to the warring in Washington.
18 October 2013
Congress pulls US back from brink, averts defaultThe United States was spared the ignominy of a disastrous debt default Wednesday when Congress passed a bill extending the nation's borrowing authority and ending a two-week government shutdown.
17 October 2013
Political chaos pushes US up against debt deadlineA day of political disarray Tuesday pushed America to within hours of a debt default deadline, but two veteran senators chased a last-gasp deal to stave off a sudden shock to the global economy.
16 October 2013
Conflicts, energy top agenda as Hollande visits S.AfricaFrench leader Francois Hollande arrived in South Africa Monday for a two-day state visit in which he is set to push for greater cooperation on African crises with the continental powerhouse.
15 October 2013
Britain to ease China visa restrictionsBritain is to make it easier for Chinese nationals to obtain visas in an effort to boost business between the two countries.
US to reopen Statue of Liberty, Grand CanyonUS national parks and monuments including the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon are to reopen despite the federal shutdown, after states agreed to fund them temporarily.
13 October 2013
World Bank to cut costs, bureaucracy: KimWorld Bank President Jim Yong Kim on Friday announced a program to slash costs and reduce bureaucracy at the huge development organization that is expected to result in significant layoffs.
Dubai property bounces but stirs fears of new bubbleDubai's property sector is making a strong comeback five years after prices in the emirate nosedived, but a surge in demand and bouncing prices have triggered calls to remember the crisis.
10 October 2013
'Pitiful' US infighting threatens world: Chinese mediaChinese state media hit out at US lawmakers Thursday, a week ahead of a potential US default, urging them to "stop manufacturing crises" that threaten the global economy.
10 October 2013
Obama's 'missed opportunity' as China flexes musclesMost Asia-Pacific leaders, themselves blooded in political trench warfare, sympathise with US President Barack Obama's unwillingness to desert his Washington fox-hole.
09 October 2013
World fears US default, Obama warnsPresident Barack Obama warned Tuesday that world leaders were nervous Republicans would "blow up" the US economy, and vowed not to budge on his demand for the debt ceiling to be lifted without conditions.
09 October 2013
Default fears fuel angst in shutdown WashingtonThe "unthinkable" threat of a US default weighed on Washington Monday, as a standoff over raising the government debt ceiling drowned out angst over a week-long government shutdown.