French unions, employers agree changes to labour laws
French President Francois Hollande led a chorus of approval after unions and employers reached a deal on reforms to the country's complex labour laws after more than three months of talks.
Greek parliament approves tax change under rescue terms
Greece's parliament early Saturday approved a new tax bill, part of the latest batch of fiscal reforms tied to the country's next slice of EU loans.
Apple sees China becoming biggest market: report
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, on his second visit to China in a year, said he expects the country to surpass the United States as the technology giant's largest market.
Japan PM criticises targeting of firms in China row
China was "wrong" to deliberately target Japanese business interests as part of a state campaign in a row over disputed territory.
Japan plans extra $2.1 bn on military spend: official
Japan plans to spend an extra $2.1 billion on missiles, fighter jets and helicopters, an official said Wednesday, as Tokyo looks to boost defence capabilities with concerns growing over a rising China.
Malawi's Banda assures IMF of economic reforms
Malawi's President Joyce Banda has assured visiting IMF managing director Christine Lagarde that the impoverished southern African country will not backtrack on reforms to help the economy recover.
IMF: US 'cliff' actions not enough
The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that US actions to avoid the fiscal cliff did not go far enough to address the country's long-term fiscal deficit and debt problems.
Obama signs 'fiscal cliff' bill into law
President Barack Obama has signed into law a contentious compromise bill hammered out in Congress that narrowly averted the US 'fiscal cliff of tax hikes and drastic, immediate cuts in spending.
US House to vote imminently on 'fiscal cliff' deal
The House of Representatives will vote late Tuesday on a bill already approved by the Senate to avert huge New Year tax hikes and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff".
Britain urges bold G8 action on global economy
British Prime Minister David Cameron called on his fellow G8 leaders on Wednesday to start work now on agreeing "bold steps" to help boost global economic growth, ahead of a summit he will host in June.
Chinese say country still not 'world power': poll
More than 80 percent of Chinese say they do not yet see their country as a "world power", according to a newspaper poll published Monday.
Spain faces 207-bn-euro headache in 2013
Spain defied the markets by averting a sovereign bailout this year but high interest rates could yet force Madrid to its knees as the nation confronts a 207-billion-euro ($274 billion) financing headache in 2013.
Brazil, Mexico have most Latin American billionaires
Brazil and Mexico have the most billionaires in Latin America but earn the least from estate taxes, according to a new study from a regional economic group.
Merkel steels Germans for 'more difficult' 2013
Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Germans that the economy, Europe's biggest, would experience a harder time next year than in 2012 and cautioned too that the eurozone debt crisis was far from over.
Obama 'modestly optimistic' for fiscal deal
President Barack Obama said Friday he was "modestly optimistic" a last-minute deal was possible with Republicans to avert a "fiscal cliff" crisis that could spark a recession and rock global markets.
Britain's Cameron could make EU unravel: Van Rompuy
British Prime Minister David Cameron's attempts to win back powers from the European Union could cause the 27-nation bloc to fall apart.
New Japanese finance chief hits out at BoJ: reports
Japan's new finance chief hit out at the country's under-pressure central bank, reports said Thursday, saying it was "slow" in tackling deflation that has plagued the economy for years.
S. Korea cuts growth outlook for 2012, 2013
The South Korean government on Thursday slashed the nation's growth outlook for 2012 and 2013, citing the eurozone debt crisis and US fiscal woes that continue to dampen global demand.
Obama breaks off vacation to deal with fiscal cliff
President Barack Obama was to cut his holiday short and head back to Washington on Wednesday to try to address the "fiscal cliff," a set of tax hikes and spending cuts to take effect next year.
S. Korea's KT bids for Vivendi stake in Maroc
South Korean mobile operator KT said Wednesday it has submitted a preliminary bid for French group Vivendi's stake in Moroccan carrier Maroc in a deal estimated to be worth more than $7 billion.