There is a saying that when the United States sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold. But what happens when China is unwell? The world’s second-largest economy, home to more than 1.4 billion people, is facing a host of problems – including slow growth, high youth unemployment and a property market in disarray.

Chinese officials have launched an investigation into one of the country’s biggest shadow banks, which has lent billions to real estate firms. Zhongzhi Enterprise Group (ZEG) has an asset management arm that at its peak reportedly handled more than a trillion yuan ($139bn; £110bn). Authorities said they are investigating “suspected illegal crimes” against the firm,

New Zealand’s new government says it plans to scrap the nation’s world-leading smoking ban to fund tax cuts. The legislation, introduced under the previous Jacinda Ardern-led government, would have banned cigarette sales next year to anyone born after 2008. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in New Zealand, and the policy had aimed

The prime minister will host a group of leading business figures on Monday at Hampton Court to highlight foreign firms’ plans to invest in the UK. Rishi Sunak said £29.5bn of new investment had been promised, which he described as a “huge vote of confidence” in the UK economy. Last week’s Autumn Statement included some

When Sears, Toys “R” Us and Circuit City filed for bankruptcy in recent years, it was an opportunity for other retailers to move into their old storefronts. Now, retailers are pouncing on empty Bed Bath & Beyond stores. “Some of our best stores were created from carved-up Kmart or Sears locations,” Burlington Stores CEO Michael

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday chose not to raise its key interest rate, the same decision it took following its September meeting, leaving its benchmark lending rate at its highest level in 22 years. Given that the Fed influences — directly or indirectly — interest rates on financial accounts and products throughout the US economy,

Editor’s Note: Sign up for CNN’s Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the country’s rise and how it impacts the world. New Delhi/Hong Kong CNN  —  A major wealth management company in China has told investors it can’t pay all its bills, reigniting fears that the country’s long-running real

Agreeing with an antisemitic post on his social media platform X, Elon Musk endorsed the claim that Jewish communities push “hatred against Whites.” An X post Wednesday afternoon said: “Jewish communties (sic) have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.” The

Let the shopping games begin. Deal-hunters headed to their favorite stores in person and online on the day after Thanksgiving to bag what they hope are some of the best early bargains of the year-end holiday period. So are the start-of-the-season deals enticing enough for shoppers or are they holding out in a cat-and-mouse game

While retail giants like Amazon and Walmart hope for big profits from Black Friday, the less-heralded Small Business Saturday is looking to continue its winning streak for the nearly 32 million small businesses riding a wave of enthusiastic consumer spending and robust government investment. According to a new American Express survey of small business owners,