Despite some signs of recovery, the global economy faces continued challenges, including the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, and governments should keep their support programs in place, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday.

Activity "has started to gradually strengthen... But we are not out of the woods yet," Georgieva said in a message to G20 finance ministers ahead of their weekend meeting in Saudi Arabia.

China saw forecast-beating economic growth in the second quarter after a record contraction in the previous three months, as businesses cautiously returned to normality following strict lockdowns across the country.

The United States on Wednesday cleared the way for sanctions on employees of telecom giant Huawei, expanding its pressure campaign on China, which summoned the U.S. ambassador.

Walmart will require shoppers to wear face masks starting next week, the retail giant announced Wednesday, joining an increasing number of businesses in mandating the protection amid the latest spike in U.S. coronavirus cases.

Sisters Mimi and Nikki have battled Thailand's tropical climate, chased off elephants from their vineyards and won over a skeptical public to their award-winning wine. Now they're taking on the "unfair" booze laws critics say benefit the kingdom's billionaire booze monopolies.

The European markets authority ESMA said Wednesday it would check Germany's reporting system in the wake of the Wirecard financial fraud scandal.

Qatar Airways said Wednesday it will seek compensation for losses sustained from an "illegal airspace blockade" imposed since 2017 by four Middle East nations.

Fresh hopes for a coronavirus vaccine and another round of U.S. stimulus handed strong gains to most stock markets on Wednesday, although advances were tempered by the reimposition of lockdown measures, while China-U.S. tensions weighed on Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The United States hailed Britain's decision Tuesday to order the phased removal of China's Huawei telecoms giant from its 5G network, following months of pressure from Washington.

World stock markets fell Tuesday as fears resurfaced over a spike in coronavirus infections around the world, dealers said.