News from Around the World

Government Shutdown Could End 99-Month Job Growth Streak

The partial government shutdown could cause the longest stretch of continuous job growth recorded in the U.S. to come to an end this month.

Google suspends Huawei from Android services

Google has dealt a blow to Huawei’s fast-growing consumer smartphone business by suspending the delivery of key software and technical services to the Chinese company, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Google in talks to move into banking

Google is talking to US banks about offering current accounts to its customers, accelerating Silicon Valley’s incursion into financial services after Apple’s credit card launch and Facebook’s proposed digital currency Libra.

Google’s move could further alarm lawmakers already anxious about the concentration of increasingly intimate personal information within a few big tech companies. After Facebook has run into widespread resistance to Libra, Google has said it wants to “partner deeply” with existing financial services providers.

Global Trade Momentum Rises for First Time in Four Months

Trade momentum rose in September for the first time in four months, according to the CPB’s World Trade Monitor. The latest three-month figures offer a little upbeat news about global commerce at a time when the end-game for a “phase one” U.S.-China deal remains murky.

Global Economy Slows, Pushing Europe’s Central Bank to Make a Surprise Move

FRANKFURT — Just a few months ago, the European Central Bank put the brakes on a vast economic stimulus program devised during the financial crisis. On Thursday, it unexpectedly reversed course and revived some of the measures, signaling the rising threat of a recession.

Georgieva closes in on top IMF job as no challengers seen: sources

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva was expected to be the only candidate considered to lead the International Monetary Fund as a nomination deadline drew to a close on Friday, two people familiar with the process said.

France's Macron urges more dialogue with Iran, regrets announcements on enrichment

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he regretted Iran’s announcement that it would exceed the allowed enriched uranium limit, but that Paris would hold talks with Iran and its partners to avoid any further escalation in the region.

“I regret the Iranian announcements made today, but as the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has underlined, Iran is respecting its commitments and we strongly encourage it to be patient and responsible,” Macron told a news conference alongside his Ukrainian counterpart.

For Both Trump and Xi, Trade Deal Comes Amid Growing Pressures at Home

BEIJING — The interim trade pact announced Friday between the United States and China came together as both countries’ leaders faced mounting political pressures and rising economic worries at home.

Finish what you started on reforms, IMF tells Greece

Under the terms of Greece’s exit seven months ago the Washington-based Fund, which took part in the first two bailouts, and its euro zone lenders are continuing to monitor its compliance with economic targets they set.

The IMF expects Greece’s economy to grow 2.4 percent this year and 2.2 percent in 2020 before slowing in subsequent years, it said, reiterating projections it made two months ago.

Fed’s Patience Tested as Trade Spat Clouds Growth Outlook

The recent escalation of the U.S. trade dispute with China is putting the Federal Reserve in a bind and complicates its make-no-moves policy posture.