World Economy

France’s economy minister has promised employers the “de-facto” end of the 35-hour work week, introduced by a Socialist government in 2000.

Small businesses in Singapore are optimistic about growth in the next 12 months, even if they are apprehensive about the economy, a survey has found.

Hong Kong is expected to grow at a slower pace this year than in 2015 as the city’s economy is constrained by difficulties in its exports sector and lower spending by visiting tourists, according…

At least six banks targeted in Switzerland’s investigation into Libor-rigging are in settlement talks with the country’s competition regulator, according to two people familiar with the…

It’s been a rough start to 2016, as seen by the recent bouts of financial volatility, stemming from uncertainties related to the slowdown in China, lower commodity prices, and divergent monetary…

John Kerry has stated that the Minsk peace plan could be fulfilled in the coming months, allowing sanctions on Moscow to be lifted. The Russian economy has been shaken by the embargo and low oil…

There is a sort of consensus that 2016 will be a decisive year for the European Union as it faces crisis within and outside its borders, which may result in division and disintegration. The group…

The World Economic Forum continued its sessions on Thursday and Friday, addressing a variety of economic, political, social and environmental issues.

Markets shouldn’t be concerned about the cooling in the world’s second-biggest economy, as China is transforming to a consumer driven economy, Alibaba founder Jack Ma told RT. “The consumption is…

On a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, mine owners like Glencore Plc and Vale SA are losing money on every ton of nickel they unearth in what amounts to a contest to see who can endure the agony…

Deutsche Bank stocks have dropped to levels last seen during the 2008 financial crisis as investors are fleeing Germany’s biggest lender following its announcement of a multi-billion euro loss for…

World stock market losses are approaching $8 trillion so far this year and investors last week poured the most money into government bond funds in a year, suggesting they fear the global economy…

Oilfield services giant Schlumberger has cut 10,000 jobs in the last three months amid the plunge in oil prices.

News of the near 10% jobs cull came as the firm unveiled a net…

The International Monetary Fund says Venezuela inflation will blow past 700% this year.

In a note published Friday, IMF Western Hemisphere Director Alejandro Werner said inflation would…

It’s a secret of the vast US Treasury market, a holdover from an age of oil shortages and mighty petrodollars: Just how much of America’s debt does Saudi Arabia own?

BHP Billiton Ltd. needs to raise as much as $10 billion in a sale of new stock to its investors if it wants to keep its credit rating, according to the top-ranked analyst covering the world’s…

Portugal’s new Socialist government is promising to lower the country’s budget deficit this year, while also scrapping unpopular austerity measures.

A draft 2016 state budget presented to…

Chinese President Xi Jinping has signed a number of business deals worth billions of euros with Egypt as part of a regional tour aimed at bolstering Beijing’s economic ties and clout in the Middle…

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi has said the ECB will keep interest rates extremely low for a long time. He vowed the bank would not “surrender” in its fight against the threat of…

Barclays Plc is cutting 1,200 jobs at the investment bank, exiting businesses and closing offices in countries around the world in Chief Executive Officer Jes Staley’s first move to bolster…

The collapse of the Russian ruble against the US dollar continued for a second day on Thursday. The currency fell below 85 rubles, setting a new all-time low against the greenback, RT reported.…

UAE’s National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah said on Wednesday it was cutting up to 250 expatriate staff from the bank and its partners as part of a plan to raise business efficiency, Reuters reported.…

The Saudi Arabian central bank has warned commercial banks against betting on depreciation of the riyal as tumbling oil prices put pressure on the Saudi currency, several bankers operating in the…

The flow of asylum seekers into Europe could be an immediate driver of economic growth, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday, ANSA reported. “Rapid job market integration of immigrants…

The urbanization of India and its swelling middle class will step in to fill the breach as China’s economic growth slows, Australia’s Minister of Resources Josh Frydenberg predicts.