UK economic growth slows to 0.3%

The rate of economic growth halved in the three months to the end of March, official figures show, marking the slowest quarterly growth for two years.

Greeks’ view of the debt crisis: ‘What lies ahead is great, great hardship’

Another week. Another crisis. Another make-or-break meeting that may, or may not, throw Greece into the unchartered waters of default, eurozone exit, destitution and despair.

U.K. March Retail Sales Unexpectedly Fall as Fuel Plunges

U.K. retail sales unexpectedly fell in March and the government undershot its borrowing forecasts in the latest fiscal year, providing a mixed set of data as parties spar over the economy in the final days of the election campaign.

Asean economic growth 'to outdo EU'

The 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) will surpass the EU in growth once its economies have been integrated, the World Economic Forum in Jakarta has heard.

Draghi's Warning Goes Unheeded; Euro's Best Streak in a Year Stalls

The euro declined, ending a four-day rally against the dollar, as European leaders wrangled with a defiant Greece about how to avoid a default and secure financing.

Japan’s Finance Chief Aso Says G-20 Has No Criticism on Weak Yen

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said his counterparts and central bank governors from Group of 20 nations had no criticism over the yen’s weakness after it depreciated about 30 percent under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

G20 warns of financial volatility risk as central banks diverge

WASHINGTON, April 17 (Reuters) - The Group of 20 leading economies was set on Friday to warn of a heightened risk of financial volatility as the monetary policies of major central banks begin to go their separate ways.

Greece at substantial risk of default, say experts

Greece is at substantial risk of a default, one of the world’s three leading ratings agencies said on Wednesday, as it downgraded the debt of the struggling eurozone country.

'Quick fix' Labour plans a cause for concern, experts warn

A Labour government would introduce "quick fixes" and interventionist policies, hindering job growth and sending a signal that Britain was no longer open for business, experts have warned. Business groups gave a lukewarm reception to Ed Miliband's unveiling of the Labour manifesto.

Hiring of workers in UK remains at 'sky-high' levels

Employers in the UK plan to keep hiring more staff, but concerns remain about the country's failure to raise productivity, a new report has warned.

South Africa Stocks Rally to Record in Best Week Since January

South African stocks advanced to an all-time high as emerging markets benefit from low global interest rates, which are prompting investors to seek assets deemed as risky for higher returns.

IMF's Lagarde sees 'new reality' of mediocre growth

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mediocre economic growth could become the "new reality," leaving millions stuck without jobs and increasing the risks to global financial stability, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday.

Eurozone: Six days for Greece to offer new reforms

The eurozone has said only six working days are left for Greece to come up with a revised list of reforms to seal a deal on its next rescue bailout.

In Republican Attacks on the Fed, Experts See a Shift

WASHINGTON — At a hearing in February, Representative Scott Garrett, a New Jersey Republican, complained that Congress and the Federal Reserve had traded places.

Cyprus lifts all capital controls as banks recover

Cyprus is lifting the last remaining capital controls it imposed on its banking system during the financial crisis of 2013.

Israeli Security Cabinet United in Opposition to Iran Deal

Senior Israeli ministers united today in opposition to the deal on Iran’s nuclear program after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Barack Obama the agreement threatened Israel’s existence.

Neil Woodford: 'Stock market faces years of turmoil'

Neil Woodford, one of Britain’s most respected fund managers, has warned that the general election could trigger years of turbulence for the stock market and prolonged weakness for the pound.

US hiring slows, adding 126,000 jobs in March

Employers in the United States added 126,000 jobs in March - a gain far lower than previous months. The slower gains mark a break from a 12-month streak where employers added over 200,000 jobs each month.

First Saudi Sovereign Debt Since '07 Seen This Year as Oil Bites

Saudi Arabia may issue sovereign debt for the first time since 2007 this year after oil’s decline sent its cash reserves plunging, according to Ashmore Group Plc.

Weak demand in Asia calls for more stimulus

(Reuters) - Companies struggled in China and much of the rest of Asia in March amid persistently weak domestic and global demand, suggesting that policymakers may have to resort to more stimulus to spur growth.