WASHINGTON (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund on Friday warned the risks to the global recovery had intensified as governments struggle with massive debt and the financial sector battles to overcome the crisis.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund said Friday the global economic recovery was stronger than expected in the first half of this year, but is set to slow for the remainder of 2010 and into the first half of 2011.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The fiscal situation in the world's advanced economies remains "challenging," the International Monetary Fund warned Friday, as many of the globe's richest nations struggle to rein in debt.

BERLIN (AFP) - Germany's troubled Hypo Real Estate bank, which last year narrowly avoided bankruptcy before being nationalised, will get another 40 billion euros in state guarantees, a state agency said Friday.

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran has cancelled the planned release on Saturday of female US hiker Sarah Shourd, Tehran's prosecutor was quoted as saying by ILNA news agency.