"World Bank Predicts Slower Global Growth "

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

NPR's business news starts with slower global growth.

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MONTAGNE: The World Bank has revised its predictions for global economic growth, globally, downward. The new figure predicts the world economy will grow by only 2.4 percent this year - lower than the three percent the World Bank predicted last June. Among the reasons it cited for the new forecast - the continued economic weakness of developed countries. It also singles out political brinkmanship in United States. The bank warns that uncertainty over U.S. policy quote, "has already dampened growth."