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Growth in China’s factory output and retail sales accelerated in October in a new sign an economic recovery might be taking shape as the Communist Party prepares to install a new generation of leaders. The government said Friday factory output rose 9.6% over a year earlier, up from the previous month’s 9.2%. Retail sales rose 14.5%, up from September's 14.2%. The data are welcome news for the ruling Communist Party, which is meeting in Beijing to carry out a once-a-decade handover of power to younger leaders.

EU official: Troika report on Greece by Monday

A European Union official says he expects a crucial report on Greece's budget reforms and debt sustainability to be delivered by Monday, when finance ministers from the 17 euro countries meet in Brussels. Greek officials say the country will run out of money Nov 16, and a new bailout disbursement is needed so the country won't default. That cannot be approved without a report from the troika of international lenders —the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank, and the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm.

Lonmin rebuffs Xstrata proposal to take control

Lonmin has rejected a reverse takeover proposal from its largest shareholder, Xstrata , which questioned the ability of the strike-hit platinum producer's current bosses to keep their loss-making group alive. At the centre of a wave of strikes at South African mines that have left dozens dead, Lonmin highlights the difficulties facing a platinum industry under pressure from low prices,

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