The global economy we live with today means that when Europe hurts, we all hurt. But developing nations like Brazil are hit much less hard these days than the U.S.

In the U.K., families throw away over 5 million tons of perfectly good food every year. The U.K. government thinks "sell-by" dates are to blame.

Because of their exposure to Greek debt, Moody's has downgraded two of France's biggest banks.

Despite the global recession, Scotch whisky exports to the rest of the world were worth more than $2.8 billion in the first half of the year. But it might not be because of financial woes that more people are drinking up.

Last year, the German government bailed out Greece and other eurozone countries that had run up against tough economic times. Despite the unpopularity of the measure, courts have ruled the moves legal.

The Venice Film Festival has been hard hit by the global economic downturn, leaving a large building project unfinished. But the industry hopes to continue to attract American funding.

The Mexican economy continues to prosper despite the ongoing, deadly drugs wars in the country. But is this growth sustainable as the conflicts continue?

Bit by bit, frozen assets are being released to Libya as the international community begins to recognize the end of the Gaddafi regime. But why are some still holding back?

The gulf state of Qatar is set to gain both economic and political power in the wake of its support of the Libyan opposition.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers a speech on economic policy this morning in Jackson Hole. We speak to BBC reporter Andrew Walker about why investors across Europe can't wait to hear it.