Gross domestic product during the July-September period expanded 2.9% from the second quarter, according to the Bank of Korea. That was the most rapid pace since the first quarter of 2002.

The International Monetary Fund has warned Asian nations not to withdraw their stimulus spending too soon.

The Obama administration has made increasing US exports a key part of its strategy to reduce unemployment and is moving on several fronts to do that, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has said.

Japan's exports fell by the smallest margin in 10 months in September, showing a deep slump in the world's second-largest economy may be easing.

President Ma Ying-jeou suddenly realized it needed to focus on matters closer to home.

Consumer sentiment as measured by the Reuters/University of Michigan index fell to 69.4 in early October, below the 73.5 print in late September, which economists were expecting would remain unchanged.

Beijing's four-trillion-yuan (US$586 billion) stimulus package, unveiled in November 2008, "has played a very good role in the recovery of the Chinese economy," said Xiong Bilin, a vice director general of the National Development and Reform Commission.

An encouraging set of results from Philips, the Dutch consumer electronics manufacturer, helped set a positive tone for European markets.

"People are printing money, gold is going up," according to investor Jim Rogers in an interview on Bloomberg Television.

With the global economy recovering and chip demand picking up in the seasonally strong second half of the year, many analysts now forecast that Japan's chip suppliers started making money as early as the current fiscal second quarter ending Sept. 30.

Japan's export recovery slowed in August, pointing to slower growth in production and fuelling concern that the economy may lose momentum as the impact of stimulus spending around the world fades.

Leaders of the G20 group of the world's most powerful countries pledged to bring the world economy out of recession when they met in London in April. As they meet in Pittsburgh five months later, just how far have their governments gone in meeting some of their key commitments?

GTM Research says boom in US solar manufacturing to create 20,000 jobs between 2009 and 2012.

South Korean exports in September 2009 will probably post their best performance in almost a year and confidence among its exporters has surged to the strongest in almost six years.

Singapore and Thailand have reported steady improvement in August export figures as signs of a gradual global recovery began to emerge.

Yukio Hatoyama on September 16 took office as prime minister and named a cabinet, promising to bring change to the country mired in stagnation after a half-century of virtually uninterrupted, one-party rule.

Foreign investment has been one of the factors helping drive the rapid growth of China's economy. The investment increased in August, after 10 consecutive months of declines.

Google chief economist Hal Varian is pretty confident the US economy is recovering, and he's not just basing that on government data.

The South Korean won against the dollar strengthened to a one-month high of 1220.50 in early Asian deals on September 11. On the upside, 1218.3 is seen as the next target level for the Korean currency.

Recent signs that recession has ended in some major economies, including China's major trading partner Japan, suggest that exports may pick up again.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to continue his government's aggressive stimulus efforts, saying the world's third-largest economy faces persistent problems and uncertainties from the global recession despite an upturn in growth.

"Taiwan is politically similar to South Korea where real power sits with the president, and there is unlikely to be much political instability as a result of the premier's resignation," said an economist.

South Korea's exports fell for a tenth consecutive month as global demand for the nation's automobiles, mobile phones, textiles and steel faltered.

Japan's unemployment rate rose to a record 5.7% in July in figures released just days before a general election.

There are worries that an increase in bank lending, which has helped to drive the Chinese market rally, might see a rise in bad loans.

Chinese exports narrowly edged ahead of those from Germany in the first six months of 2009, in a fresh sign that Germany's status as the world's leading exporter is at risk.

A fortnight after Typhoon Morakot first struck Taiwan on August 6 the storm continued to wreak havoc on the island. Morakot is also doing political damage.

Indonesia has proved to be less exposed to the global recession than many of its neighbours, and its economy expanded by 4.2% on year in the first half of 2009.

Taiwan's leaders have approved a three billion US dollar Typhoon Morakot relief budget as public outrage grew over their response to the floods and mudslides that left up to 500 feared dead. "The cabinet lacks credibility in the typhoon victims' and the general public's eyes. A cabinet that cannot command the people's trust and respect should of course be replaced..."

Countries must rebalance their economies to make it sustainable, IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard commented. Economies dominated by consumption - such as the US - would have to focus more on exports, while Asia turned more to imports.

The big bounce—GDP plunged by at over 10% (annualized) in the previous two quarters—owes much to stimulus packages in Japan and around the world.

South Korea recorded real GDP growth of 2.3% on quarter in the second quarter of 2009—a stronger performance than the Economist Intelligence Unit expected.

China's exports and new loans tumbled in July and industrial output rose less than estimates, underscoring government concern that the economy is yet to establish a solid recovery.

Singapore revised slightly higher its economic growth in the second quarter, but warned US consumption must pick up to sustain the recovery.

Typhoon Morakot pounded Taiwan over the weekend with powerful winds and torrential rain. The number of people listed as missing and feared dead went up from eight to 29, the government's National Fire Agency said. The typhoon has caused at least NT$832 million (US$26 million) in agricultural damage.

China will maintain its current macroeconomic policy stance aimed at bolstering domestic spending as the nation continues to experience fallout from the global recession, Premier Wen Jiabao said.

German exports rose 7% in June, the fastest pace in nearly three years, in the latest sign of recovery in Europe's biggest economy, official figures show.

The Chinese authorities in July predicted 8% growth for 2009, thanks to a four trillion yuan (US$585 billion) economic stimulus plan. But the global downturn has still put millions of Chinese out of work.

Recession times have proved a harsh reality check for Japan's ongoing love affair with robots.

The slide in Japan's exports slowed in June in a sign government stimulus spending around the world may be propping up demand.