The downturn in the economy is fueling a robust trade in coupons. In addition to the traditional coupons that people clip from newspapers and other printed sources, Web sites and blogs offer tips and links to coupons. Some companies are also sending out coupons as text messages.

TOLEDO, Oct. 13 -- Democrat Barack Obama advocated an immediate and expensive economic assistance package Monday, while Republican John McCain readied a set of specific new proposals of his own, as the candidates entered a three-week sprint toward a presidential election that appears certain to turn...

The federal government is renewing its attempt to persuade people to give money to banks, and banks to give money to people.

GURGAON, India -- With her flowing, hot-pink Indian suit, jangly silver bangles and perky voice, Bhumika Chaturvedi, 24, doesn't fit the stereotype of a thuggish, heard-it-all-before debt collector. But lately, she has had no problem making American debtors cry.

Next stop for bailout-happy policymakers? The stressed-out U.S. consumer.

BRITAIN'S paralysed banking system was last night showing the first tentative signs of creaking back into life, as the cost of borrowing between institutions fell.

INFLATION figures released today are expected to show a further rise in the cost of living although experts say they may have reached a peak.

GROWING financial pressures hit retailers last month with the British Retail Consortium revealing that like-for-like sales fell 1.5 per cent in September.

The Bank of Japan said it will hold an unscheduled policy board meeting Tuesday night to study recent developments in global markets. The meeting, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. EDT), comes as global stock markets have rallied after governments in the U.S. and Europe announced emergency measures to use public money to shore up their banking systems.

The Treasury Department is set to announce a plan Tuesday to pump more than $200 billion of new capital into U.S. banks. The package follows similar steps by European governments announced Monday. In both cases, the moves will deepen government roles in the economy.