GDP

Qatar is perhaps the wealthiest nation on earth.

Japan’s economy contracted more than economists forecast in the fourth quarter as exports slid on weakness in global demand and strength in the yen.

Japan's economy shrank a bigger-than-expected 0.6 percent in October-December, hurt by slowing global growth, Thai floods and a strong yen, casting doubt about expectations that growth will resume this quarter as Europe's debt crisis clouds the outlook.

A few months ago economists were all but certain the U.S. economy would slow sharply at the start of this year, with many warning that recession risks were growing.

U.S. overspending on the military has diverted resources from civilian / social investments, including public goods, weakening the U.S. economy, and, by extension, weakening the nation.

The UK economy is under significant pressure in the shadow of uncertainty cast by the eurozone debt crisis which is resulting in its losing the momentum of recovery.

Greek lawmakers will vote this weekend on a controversial austerity bill that Athens needs to avoid a messy default but which is fuelling a domestic political and social crisis that has brought thousands of Greeks out on the streets in protest.

In December, the trade deficit increased to $48.8 billion from $47.1 billion in November.

Greece's prime minister struck back at critics in a letter to his Cabinet Friday evening, delivering a rousing plea in which he asked Greek government officials to coalesce behind a new ambitious but achievable program of fiscal austerity; however, the letter acknowledged that would be difficult politically, difficult economically, and socially difficult.

The fiscal 2013 budget President Barack Obama will present to Congress on Monday will include hundreds of billions in infrastructure spending and a projected deficit of $901 billion, or about 5.5 percent of the nation's gross domestic product.

U.S. GDP is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.2 percent this quarter, lower than a previous estimate, according to a survey by the Philadelphia Federal Reserve, released on Friday.

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve released a survey Friday that suggests the employment rate will drop further as 2012 progresses. Currently the unemployment rate in the country hovers near 8.5 percent.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is up for re-election this year. He faces stiff competition from both the Socialist Party and the extreme right National Front. With France's economy in shambles, Sarkozy's re-election prospects look slimmer every day.

Thanks to expansive oil fields and a reservoir of millions of barrels of crude, Nigeria is the third-richest country in Africa. But due to corruption, poor wealth distribution, and lack of infrastructure, the nation's people suffer from staggering rates of poverty.

Greek political leaders said they had clinched a deal on economic reforms and spending cuts needed to secure a second bailout, but eurozone finance ministers demanded more measures and a parliamentary seal of approval. Finance ministers of the 17-nation eurozone meeting in Brussels warned there would be no immediate approval for the rescue package.

Singapore enjoys close relations with both the U.S. and China.

China's inflation unexpectedly rebounded in January mainly due to gains in food prices and a weeklong holiday. Though this does not change the broader downward trend in inflation and provides room for Beijing to stimulate its economy if the Euro area experiences a sharp recession. It does support economists' view that Beijing will not put in place aggressive stimulus packages as it aims for a smooth leadership transition this year.

A few months ago economists were all but certain the U.S. economy would slow sharply at the start of this year, with many warning that recession risks were growing.

The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said Wednesday the Fed may resume expanding its balance sheet to boost the U.S. economy if the recovery loses momentum or inflation stays below two percent.

Though the Maldives capital Malé remains in turmoil after the ousting of president Mohamed Nasheed, officials say resorts in the popular tourist destinations remain safe and open for business.

Some countries, including the U.S., could be trying to bring their budget deficit down too quickly, posing a risk for the economic recovery, the head of the International Monetary Fund's fiscal affairs department warned Wednesday.