US economy grew at 2.5 percent rate in spring

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.5 percent annual rate from April through June, much faster than previously estimated. The steep revision was largely because U.S. companies exported more goods and imports declined.

We Are All Europeans Now

Alexander Mirtchev, Contributor 

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The broadening cracks in the European economic framework now appear to be undermining the whole European structure, as if a ‘contagion’ is spreading from the Southern European economies outwards.

Bank of England governor reiterates pledge on low interest rates

Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, sought to convince a sceptical City that borrowing costs will remain on hold for the next three years on Wednesday, as he warned that Britain needs a prolonged period of low interest rates to make up the ground lost during the recession.

Will Financial Regulation Trash Global Economic Security?

Alexander Mirtchev, Contributor

Under the auspices of the Financial Stability Board, more than 30 recommendations have been set out as part of a massive and far-reaching G-20 financial regulatory reform package to ostensibly minimize risk in the financial system and maximize consumer protection.

US consumer confidence ticks higher

US consumers grew slightly more confident in August as they viewed economic conditions and job prospects improving in the future, the Conference Board said Tuesday.

'Our generation is a lost cause': Spain's youth struggle to chart a life amid economic crisis

MADRID, Spain - In a country where more than 55 percent of young people are unemployed, even an obsession with bolstering your resume is no guarantee of success.

New-home sales slump to lowest rate since October

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Sales of new homes slumped in July with each region seeing sizeable drops, raising questions about the recovery in the housing market.

Germany, Britain lead Europe's nascent economic recovery

BERLIN/LONDON: Germany confirmed on Friday it had enjoyed its fastest rate of economic expansion in more than a year in the second quarter, and Britain revised up its growth to the same rate.

U.K. Posts First July Deficit Since 2010 as Spending Up

Britain posted its first July budget deficit since 2010 as an increase in government spending outstripped tax revenue.

On road trip, Barack Obama will try to steer focus back to economy

WASHINGTON: Shadowed by turmoil in Egypt and domestic controversies, President Barack Obama will seek to regain political momentum on a bus tour during which he will push his plans for stoking the US economy and taming the high cost of college tuition.

European recovery begins to turn markets' inflation view

LONDON: Evidence is growing that flickering signs of life in Europe's economies have started a slow turnaround in the region's long-muted inflation expectations.

Russia's economy shows signs of improving in July

MOSCOW: Russia's economy showed small signs of improvement in July, data indicated on Monday, with business investment returning to growth and retail sales suggesting greater consumer confidence.

Can Indonesia Raise Incomes And Eradicate Poverty By 2030?

Several studies suggest that Indonesia is on track to end poverty and attain high-income country status in a decade or so, while others suggest that the economy could grow to be among the world’s top ten largest by 2030 if more investments are placed in manufacturing, infrastructure development and urbanisation.

New Zealand envoy sees U.S. willing to deal in Asia-Pacific trade talks

(Reuters) - A senior New Zealand official on Friday said he was optimistic the United States would agree to phase out tariffs in politically sensitive sectors like sugar and dairy as part of a regional free trade deal with Asia-Pacific countries.

Retail boosts confidence: Strong July for shoppers casts doubt on Bank of England strategy

A surge in retail sales in July has bolstered the City's confidence in the British recovery and cast more doubt over the credibility of the Bank of England's pledge to keep interest rates down for three years.

Swiss Franc Weakens as Euro-Area Economy Expands; Pound Rises

The Swiss franc slid to the weakest in a month against the euro after a report showed the 17-nation region pulled out of recession last quarter, damping demand for the safety of the Swiss currency.

Bank of England policy team back forward guidance

Bank of England governor Mark Carney received almost complete support for his new forward guidance policy from his colleagues on the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Japan should delay sales tax rise to beat deflation: Former BOJ member

TOKYO: Japan should delay a planned hike in the sales tax in order to ensure that the economy emerges from deflation, said Nobuyuki Nakahara, a former Bank of Japan board member and close confidant of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Fed's cues on rates more critical than bond buys: Fed study

(Reuters) - For investors trying to pinpoint when the Federal Reserve will likely end its massive bond-buying program, the message from researchers at a pair of influential regional Fed banks was clear: don't bother.

Economic Expansion Slows Down in Japan

TOKYO — Japan’s economic growth slowed in the second quarter to an annualized rate of 2.6 percent, government data showed on Monday, clouding the outlook for the economic policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and raising concerns that he may put off moves to tackle the country’s enormous public debt.

Cable: RBS sell-off 'five years away’

Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, has signalled that the Royal Bank of Scotland will be in public hands for another five years, increasing the chances it will be broken up before it is re-privatised.

European stock funds are coming back en vogue

NEW YORK (AP) -- The world is warming up to Europe again.

Narrowing trade gap fuels British recovery hopes

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's trade deficit narrowed sharply in June while second quarter construction output grew faster than an official estimate, adding to signs the country's economic recovery is moving onto a more sustainable footing.

How the Alternative Energy Megatrend will impact global geopolitical relations

The Greening of Geopolitics

By Dr Alexander Mirtchev

The advent of renewable energies is generally regarded from a fairly narrow perspective: whether – and to what extent – they are able to replace fossil fuels and what this would mean for the energy system and the economy. Such a perspective profoundly underestimates the potential consequences of what is in fact a revolutionary global development: a socio-political and techno-economic megatrend that has the ability to become a global societal game-changer, writes Alexander Mirtchev, Vice-President of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI). According to Mirtchev, the ‘Alternative Energy Megatrend’ will have far-reaching effects on global geopolitical relations and security concerns – effects that have yet to be fully grasped by most observers. This article is adapted from his upcoming book: “The Alternative Energy Megatrend: A Global Security Discourse in the Universally-Securitized World”.

Alternative Energy And Global Energy Security In Aftermath Of Rio+20

“Life always gets harder toward the summit–the cold increases, the responsibility increases.” These words by Friedrich Nietzsche aptly characterize the atmosphere among global leaders at June’s international summits.

Japan recovery seen sustained on Abenomics, may justify tax hike

TOKYO: Japan's economy likely grew an annualised 3.6 percent in April-June to mark a third straight quarter of expansion, a Reuters poll showed, adding to growing signs the positive effect of premier Shinzo Abe's reflationary policies is spreading.

U.K. Services Surge to Fastest in More Than Six Years

U.K. services growth accelerated more than economists forecast last month to the fastest pace in more than six years, adding to evidence Britain’s economic recovery is gathering momentum.

Euro zone business expands for first time in 18 months: PMI

LONDON: Euro zone business expanded for the first time in 18 months in July, albeit very slightly, according to a survey on Monday that suggested the economy is slowly starting to stabilise.

Australia vote set for Sept. 7; PM runs on economy

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia's election on Sept. 7 will be fought over who can be trusted to manage the Australian economy as it transitions from a decade-old mining boom that is fading.

Housebuilding surge boosts construction sector

George Osborne's plan to boost the supply of new homes appeared to gain traction last month after a survey of the construction industry showed housebuilding increased at its fastest pace since June 2010.

Bank of Ireland follows AIB on recovery path: Results

DUBLIN: Bank of Ireland held up the prospect of a return to profits on Friday when it reported a big cut in first-half losses.

Lousy Economic Recovery? Doesn't Feel Like It

The 1.7 percent increase in gross domestic product for the second quarter shows a U.S. economy that’s plodding along.

BoE readies guidance push, under wraps for now

LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England and its new governor Mark Carney will put the finishing touches to a fresh approach to nurturing Britain's nascent economic recovery on Thursday, when the central bank wraps up a policy meeting.