Your morning Briefing: IMF warns: danger of global slide

Your 2-minute digest of the day’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. The IMF has warned of storm clouds on the economic horizon, and a combustible Spaniard blows a gasket at the Australian Open.

ESCAPE: China Wish List - Skyline night view from Bund waterfront on Pudong New Area - the business quarter of the Shanghai. Picture: iStock

Clouds gather

The International Monetary Fund has sounded a warning that the world is at risk of a sharp downturn, as the global ­economy slows faster than ­expected amid trade conflicts and rising debts. China yesterday reported that 2018 had brought its slowest economic growth in almost 30 years of 6.6 per cent, highlighting a key IMF concern, that China’s slowdown was deeper than expected. The IMF’s review is consistent with government warnings that the Australian economy faces “storm clouds” ahead.

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21st January 2019.Clive Palmer at his office in Brisbane.Photo: Glenn Hunt / The Australian

Palmer’s Kiwi flight

Clive Palmer has shifted control of most of his business empire to New Zealand and is threatening to sue Australian taxpayers for $45 billion in a desperate attempt to stop a Chinese state-owned company from seizing control of a Pilbara mining project. Mr Palmer’s flagship private company Mineralogy — which is funding his big-spending federal election campaign — is now owned by a company called Mineralogy International Ltd (MIL), set up in New Zealand last month.

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Keeper Maty Ryan. The Socceroos training at the National stadium, Bangkok, ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Thailand. Pic Jono Searle.

Socceroos shootout

Arise Sir Maty Ryan. The Australian goalkeeper was the hero, making two saves in a penalty shoot out to help Australia beat Uzbekistan and move to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup, writes Ray Gatt.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain shows his frustration after losing his fourth round match against Kei Nishikori of Japan during day eight of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) **BESTPIX**

Combustible

Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta has apologised for losing the plot over a controversial line call that marred his marathon five-set defeat to Japan’s Kei Nishikori last night. In unprecedented scenes at the Australian Open, Carreno Busta responded to jeering from the crowd and his frustration with the umpire by refusing to shake the official’s hand, throwing his racquet bag across the court, roaring in anger and then continuing his tantrum all the way back to the locker room at Melbourne Park. Keep up with all the latest in our live Australian Open blog.

“The way I left the court was not right, and I’m so sorry, because that’s not me.”

Pablo Carreno Busta

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Johannes Leak’s view

Johannes Leak Letters cartoon for 22-01-19Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.