Switzerland has plunged into recession after the coronavirus pandemic caused a "historic" 8.2-percent slump in economic activity in the second quarter, official figures showed Thursday.

Argentina formally opened consultations with the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday to agree new terms on the repayment of a $57 billion bailout agreed in 2018.

Most markets in Asia slipped Wednesday as investors weighed worries about the economic impact of coronavirus and fresh outbreaks in some countries against signs it is easing in other parts of the world and hopes for a vaccine.

Lebanon's central bank governor warned in an interview published Tuesday that the bank cannot continue using its foreign currency reserves to finance trade, signaling he may soon be unable to sustain subsidies on basic goods.

In an interview with the French edition of the Saudi-owned Arab News, Riad Salameh said the central bank "is not the state" and cannot be blamed for everything.

A representative of Lebanon's hospitality sector said on Tuesday that service and tourism businesses would defy a newly reinstated coronavirus lockdown that has compounded the blast-hit country's economic woes.

Asian and European stock markets mostly rose Tuesday with investors reassured by news that China and the United States have agreed to press on with their trade pact, while hopes for a virus treatment provided extra support.

U.S. stocks opened the week like they closed last week: on a high note, amid news the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had authorized the use of a COVID-19 treatment.

The Cypriot government has hit back at claims in a media investigation that its controversial pathway for wealthy investors to acquire passports has been exploited by criminals.

Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera reported that dozens of those who applied for so-called "golden passports" are under criminal investigation, international sanctions or serving prison sentences. 

European stock markets jumped at the start of trading Monday following gains in Asia, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index adding 1.2 percent to 6,076.39 points.

The case against former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn may have taken another turn as Japanese media report allegations that the automaker declared as expenses 1.15 billion yen ($10.8 million) in his taxable personal income.

Japan's National Tax Agency said Thursday it was aware of the reports but declined comment on an individual case.