The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Washington—The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said global growth will likely be weaker this year as the world economy confronts a host of problems, including a refugee crisis in Europe, an economic slowdown in China and a pending rise in US interest rates.

Lisbon, Portugal—When two Chinese companies appeared among the bidders to buy a troubled Portuguese bank this year, its staff took heart.

Washington— United States President Barack Obama vehemently rejected Russia’s military actions in Syria as self-defeating, and dismissed the idea that Moscow was strengthening its hand in the region. He vowed not to let the conflict become a US-Russia “proxy war.”

Kathmandu, Nepal—India’s unofficial blockade of Nepal has put a crunch on this Himalayan nation, with cars lining up for miles around gasoline stations, schools shutting down, vegetables in short supply and taxis charging four times the normal fare.

By Rob Harris / The Associated Press Zurich—Sepp Blatter defied calls from Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) sponsors Budweiser, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Visa to quit immediately as president of world soccer’s governing body, rather than cling on until the emergency election in February.

By Doug Ferguson / The Associated Press Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida—Jordan Spieth was voted the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour player of the year last weekend, giving him a sweep of all the significant awards.

Wuhan—Venus Williams won the Wuhan Open last Saturday when her Spanish opponent and fifth-seeded Garbine Muguruza retired with a left ankle injury while trailing 6-3, 3-0.

By Michael Biesecker / The Associated Press Washington—Volkswagen (VW) is far from the first company to stand accused of trying to game required emissions tests. Almost since the passage of the Clean Air Act in the United States in 1970, major manufacturers of cars, trucks and heavy equipment have been caught for using what regulators call “defeat devices”—typically programing a vehicle’s …

Buyers typically don’t associate Kia with luxury, but its 2016 top-level Sorento SX-Luxury model is so robust in its looks, pleasing in its ride and stocked with features that it feels like a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Three vehicles of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI), the automobile business unit of the Japanese motorcycle-maker in the country, bagged prizes at the 11th Annual C! Awards—which honors the best four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles in the nation, based on its editorial team’s reviews—held at the Palms Country Club in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, on September 15.