Covid, soaring inflation threaten second winter of woe for world economy

The world economy is approaching the northern hemisphere winter in disarray, unable to shake off the coronavirus crisis amid persisting supply disruptions, soaring prices and resurgent outbreaks.  

Global surveys of purchasing managers this week are likely to point that way. Among the outcomes anticipated by economists are slowing manufacturing and services activity throughout the euro zone and the U.K., and only modest improvement in the U.S.

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With parts of Europe confronting renewed restrictions to contain another wave of the virus, China’s rebound fading and rising infections taking