GLOBAL ECONOMY Factories squeezed by higher prices, weak demand

Factories across Asia and Europe struggled for momentum in July as flagging global demand and China’s strict COVID-19 restrictions slowed production, surveys showed on Monday, likely adding to fears of economies sliding into recession.
Euro zone inflation hits yet another record high after big jump

Euro zone inflation rose to another record high in July and its peak could still be months away, keeping pressure on the European Central Bank to opt for another big interest rate increase in September.
‘Recession is in the air’: German economy stagnates in 2nd quarter

The German economy stagnated in the second quarter, data showed on Friday, with the war in Ukraine, the pandemic and supply disruptions bringing Europe’s largest economy to the edge of a downturn.
Russian gas cut to Europe hits economic hopes, Ukraine reports attacks on coastal regions

Russia said it will cut gas supplies to Europe from Wednesday in a blow to countries that have backed Ukraine, while missile attacks in Black Sea coastal regions raised doubts about whether Russia will stick to a deal to let Ukraine export grain.
Russia resumes gas flows via Nord Stream, Europe still wary

Russia resumed pumping gas via its biggest pipeline to Europe on Thursday after a 10-day outage, the operator said, allaying Europe’s immediate winter supply fears after President Vladimir Putin had warned that flows could be cut further or stopped.
Exclusive: HSBC set to push back against Ping An breakup proposal

HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) is set to speed up its exit from non-core markets and deploy additional capital in Asia, in a bid to push back against a breakup proposal put forward by its biggest shareholder, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
Germany’s gas crisis in charts: Pipeline repair, and then what?

The flow of gas from Russia to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline stopped on Monday as a planned 10-day maintenance period began. The question is: Will flows then resume?
EXCLUSIVE Germany to overhaul laws to allow energy bailouts – sources

Germany’s government will have the power to take stakes in utilities and impose emergency levies on consumers under proposed legal changes now under discussion, three sources told Reuters, as Berlin moves to beef up energy security.
Stocks and oil tumble as recession fears mount

World stock markets and oil prices hit the skids on Wednesday as the persistent palpitations about rising interest rates and recessions struck again, while the Japanese yen hit a fresh 24-year low against a seemingly unstoppable U.S. dollar.
European shares rise, dollar slips as market selloff pauses

European shares opened higher on Tuesday, recovering slightly from last week’s 17-month lows as the selloff paused, but major central banks’ rate hike plans and global recession risks kept investors cautious.