China’s economic growth waned to a five-year low of 7.3% last quarter, raising concerns of a spillover effect on the global economy but falling roughly in line with Chinese leaders’ plans for a controlled slowdown.

Ireland’s economy probably grew by 0.4% in the last quarter of 2013 and more robust growth is expected for 2014 as the labour market gains momentum and exports improve, a Reuters poll showed yesterday.

The Federal Reserve stayed the course on tapering its stimulus for the US economy yesterday, reducing asset purchases by $10bn (€7.32bn) for the second month in a row.

US private employers hired staff at the fastest pace in 13 months in December, raising expectations that similar figures from the government will confirm the US economy was gathering steam at the end of last year.

GETTING Ireland working again is the Government’s top priority. That is why it is my ambition to prove by 2016 that Ireland is the best small country in the world in which to do business.

The United States has moved closer to the possibility of the first-ever default on the government’s debt as Speaker John Boehner adamantly ruled out a House vote on a straightforward bill to boost the borrowing authority without concessions from President Barack Obama.

Banks across the EU will be asked to use a single definition for bad loans in the upcoming review of their loan books, a senior EU regulatory source told Reuters, making it harder for banks to conceal the state of their businesses behind local conventions.

China’s leaders face new pressure to stimulate a slowing economy after growth decelerated for a second consecutive quarter, hurt by weak trade and efforts to cool a credit boom.

The economy is likely to grow at a slower pace than previously expected this year as a stronger euro curbs exports, a Reuters poll showed yesterday, in a bad omen for Government efforts to cut the budget deficit.

US private-sector employers shrugged off a looming budget crisis and stepped up hiring in December, offering further evidence of underlying strength in the economy as 2012 ended.

Ireland’s economy will grow slightly faster than previously thought this year thanks to stronger exports, keeping Dublin on track to meet deficit targets agreed under its EU/IMF bailout, a Reuters poll shows.

THE dramatic advance of Libyan rebels over the forces of longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi offers vindication, at least for now, for President Barack Obama’s decision to refrain from using US troops on Libyan soil and to let Nato take the lead in degrading Gaddafi’s military power.

IT took just minutes for the earthquake and tsunami to devastate Japan’s northeast. Rebuilding will take years — if it can be afforded.