The U.S. debt limit fight has the potential to "very seriously damage" the U.S. and global economies just as there are signs a solid recovery is beginning to emerge, and it is critical the situation is resolved quickly, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said Thursday. On the third day of the U.S. government shutdown, caused by the failure of Congress to approve a budget - as Republicans in the House insist it be linked to defunding the health care reform - Lagarde warned that the fallout goes beyond the U.S. economy. Amid signs of improvement in the private sector, in particular ... (full story)