U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked Congress for a bumper $29 billion package of emergency relief after Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico.

According to a White House letter, Trump asked for a package that includes $12.77 billion in disaster relief and a $16 billion bailout to keep a critical flood insurance program running.

Saudi Arabia Wednesday announced the consolidation of development funds under a unified body led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, cementing the powerful prince's position in the Gulf kingdom's affairs.

Germany's powerful automakers' federation lifted its sales forecast for 2017 Wednesday, as drivers snap up new cars offered at heavy discounts in the wake of a long-running diesel emissions scandal.

Supermarket group Tesco, Britain's biggest retailer, said Wednesday it returned to profit in its first half as it kept a lid on food price inflation. 

The World Bank warned Wednesday that surging tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme could be a threat to robust growth in Asia.

Widening inequality in Asia's teeming cities could lead to potentially risky social divisions, the World Bank warned Tuesday, urging governments to do more to help the urban poor.

An eastern Indiana couple has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1.2 million in merchandise from Amazon.

Erin Joseph Finan, 38, and Leah Jeanette Finan, 37, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, The Star Press reported .

Australia's central bank left interest rates at a record low Tuesday with the board upbeat about the economy, while sounding a warning about the strength of the local dollar.

European stocks pushed higher on Monday, shrugging off a banned referendum for independence in Catalonia opposed by Spain that was marked by a violent police crackdown.

Beijing's decision to shut down bitcoin trading platforms has left investors scrambling to cut their losses and threatens to deprive the crypto-currency of a crucial market.