Global Economy

Budget Battles

  • Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) arrives at Democratic Party caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/ File Photo

    Factbox: What happens in a U.S. government shutdown?

    By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker, Reuters

    In shutdowns, nonessential government employees are furloughed, or placed on temporary unpaid leave. Workers deemed essential, including those dealing with public safety and national security, keep...

  • FILE PHOTO: Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 12, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

    No Talk of Ousting Speaker Ryan, Key Conservative Says

    By Reuters

    Many Republicans are unhappy with the deal President Donald Trump reached last week with Democratic leaders to raise the government's debt ceiling and allow it to continue financing federal spending...

  • Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves during a pro-government rally with workers of state-run oil company PDVSA, in Barcelona

    The Crisis in Venezuela Could Send Oil Prices Soaring

    By Nick Cunningham, Oilprice.com

    Venezuela’s deteriorating crisis is “going to be the biggest geopolitical story to watch in the oil markets," according to Helima Croft of RBC Capital Markets. The economic, political and security...

  • FILE PHOTO: Arellano, deputy of the Venezuelan coalition of opposition parties (MUD), clashes with national guards during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas

    The Risk That Could Drive Oil Prices Higher in a Hurry

    By Nick Cunningham, Oilprice.com

    The latest rally in oil prices ran up against a wall yet again, and the same fears about oversupply have not receded in the slightest. The expectation from most oil analysts is that there is very...

  • Emmanuel Macron, head of the political movement 'En Marche!', or 'Onwards!', and candidate for the 2017 presidential election, delivers a speech as he attends a meeting for Women's day in Paris, France

    France Just Made a Big Move Toward a Green Energy Future

    By Bate Felix and Simon Carraud, Reuters

    France aims to end the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040 and become carbon neutral 10 years later, Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot said on Thursday at a presentation of measures to keep up...

  • Greek Prime Minister Doubles Down – Maybe

    By Rob Garver

    The Greek Prime Minister on Tuesday appeared ready to bypass the group of European Finance Ministers who have been debating the future of financial assistance to his country, taking his argument...

  • Protesters hold a giant Greek national flag during an anti-austerity and pro-government demonstration in front of the parliament in Athens

    Greece Rejects Extension of Current Terms of Bailout

    By Rob Garver

    The Greeks and their creditors in Europe appeared to be talking past each other on Monday, as talks broke down over how to address Athens’ fiscal problems. Though the Greek government has refused an...

  • Gold bars are displayed at the headquarters of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation in Tokyo January 9, 2008. Gold hit a historic high for a second straight day on Wednesday as investment funds ploughed money into the market on the metal's bullish trend, supp

    Gold on a Roll and It Could Go Higher

    By Matt Clinch, CNBC

    Gold enjoyed its third straight session of gains on Monday with industry experts predicting a little more shine for the precious metal with the Chinese holiday period just around the corner. The...

  • Greece Continues Game of Chicken with EU Creditors

    By Rob Garver

    It’s been established that neither the new Greek government nor the remainder of the European Monetary Union want Greece to exit the shared currency over its debt troubles. The question now appears...

  • Stocks Poised for More Upward Momentum

    By Ashley Lau, Reuters

    Stocks in the U.S. are poised for more upward momentum even as uncertainty over oil prices and Greek debt negotiations keeps the market on tenterhooks, analysts say. Strong fourth-quarter U.S...