As the United States threatened to default on its debt last month, major U.S. banks set up war rooms, spent many millions of dollars on contingency planning and, in some cases, even prepared to underwrite federal government benefits.

• November 19, 2013

The European Union may not be able to accept Turkey as a member, German parties negotiating a coalition government have said, while making clear the EU's "privileged relationship" with Ankara should be developed further.

• November 19, 2013

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the European Union on Tuesday of putting "unforgivable pressure" on Ukraine to sign a free trade pact with the EU.

• November 19, 2013

World shares hit a near six-year high on Monday, boosted by signs of ambitious economic reform in China and the prospect of extended stimulus in the United States.

• November 18, 2013

European Union envoys will make another attempt this week to break a deadlock over jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko that has jeopardized plans by the EU and Ukraine to sign a landmark trade and cooperation deal.

• November 18, 2013

Tens of thousands of opponents and supporters of Socialist-led government rallied on Saturday, underscoring the widening political divide and uncertainty in the European Union's poorest country.

• November 17, 2013

China may reduce the influence of the state on stock markets as part of its sweeping reform agenda, including by making it easier for companies to list their stocks and making management of state-owned enterprises more accountable to shareholders.

• November 17, 2013

China released a raft of detailed reform plans on Friday, promising sweeping changes to the economy and the country's social fabric as it seeks to unleash new sources of growth after three decades of breakneck expansion show signs of faltering.

• November 15, 2013