Belarus’s central bank sharply devalued the country’s ruble to help stop the hemorrhaging of its reserves.

The country’s trade surplus narrowed to a six-year low in 2008, propelled by a deepening economic slowdown that curbed demand for exports.

South Korea posted a current-account surplus for a second consecutive month in November, which may help ease pressure on the won.

Stocks fell after a scuttled deal between Kuwait and Dow Chemical underscored the depth of the economic crisis.

Stocks fell as Israeli jets pounded targets in Gaza, sending oil prices higher and injecting new tremors into the global markets.

Stocks fell as Israeli jets pounded targets in Gaza, sending oil prices higher and injecting new tremors into the global markets.

European stocks started the week higher, following a similar pattern in Asia, lifted by energy shares and a positive end to trading last week in the United States.

The currency may fall even further against the dollar and the euro unless oil prices rebound soon.

The currency may fall even further against the dollar and the euro unless oil prices rebound soon.

Some in Britain fear that the government’s plan to borrow and spend to counter the current recession may lead to a run on the pound.