The IMF slashed its global growth forecast and warned things could get much worse if the eurozone crisis is not quelled and Washington fails to reverse the looming "fiscal cliff" austerity plan.
The World Bank on Monday slashed its 2012 growth forecast for developing countries in East Asia and the Pacific to 7.2 percent, down from 8.3 percent in 2011, due to the fragile global economy.
A relieved Barack Obama basked Saturday in shock good news as unemployment dipped below eight percent to the lowest point of his presidency, stealing headlines from Mitt Romney's thumping debate win.
The French economy appears to be settling into a period of no growth according to the INSEE national statistics institute, which halved late Thursday its 2012 growth forecast to 0.2 percent.
A ship built in Gaza will sail next year carrying Palestinian exports to international customers, and to challenge Israel's blockade from the inside out.
Swiss mining group Xstrata and commodities giant Glencore said on Monday they had agreed on new terms for their tie-up to create a massive company worth about 70 billion euros ($90 billion).
China's manufacturing activity contracted for a second straight month in September, according to official data released Monday, falling short of expectations for expansion.
The eurozone is unlikely to survive in its current form and one or more countries will probably have to leave the 17-nation single currency bloc, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said Sunday.
Governments around the world must work out how to cope with ageing, a UN report said Monday, warning developing economies with lots of young workers may one day find their populations a drag.
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras stressed the urgency of sealing an austerity pact ahead of crucial talks Monday between Greek officials and the so-called troika of international creditors.
Spain's government unveiled Thursday a 2013 budget that tightens austerity even in the teeth of growing protests, easing the path to a widely expected sovereign bailout.
Thousands of protestors rallied near the Spanish parliament for a second straight night Wednesday after a rough day on the markets again raised the spectre of a full bailout and deeper economic pain.
Global sales of so-called smart connected devices -- computers, smartphones and tablets -- rose sharply in the past quarter, driven by smartphones and tablets.
France will present its 2013 budget Friday with President Francois Hollande's credibility on the line as he seeks to rein in public finances and reassure financial markets without stirring public anger.
Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets and baton-charged protesters Tuesday as thousands rallied near parliament in Madrid in anger at the economic crisis, in clashes that left more than 60 people injured.
Climate change caused by global warming is slowing down world economic output by 1.6 percent a year and will lead to a doubling of costs in the next two decades.
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said Monday that delays in implementing Greece's bailout program, including privatization, have expanded the country's financing shortfall.
Efforts to create a Palestinian state could collapse unless emergency funds are found to bail out its nascent government, the Palestinian finance minister Sunday.