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The International Monetary Fund stepped up pressure on Greece on Wednesday, saying promised reforms were behind schedule in most areas and the delays were stalling recovery from years of recession.

The International Monetary Fund's chief economist cautioned on Wednesday against imposing tough austerity measures too quickly and instead favors a longer process as countries around the world grapple with high debt levels.

The United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and 26 other international organizations are pressing the keepers of the Internet to prevent addresses like .un or .imf from being taken by cybersquatters in an upcoming expansion of domain names.

Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi on Tuesday urged Europe to make further efforts to convince markets of its resolve to overcome the region's debt crisis and expressed caution about any potential Japan contribution to a rescue fund through the IMF.

Investors were bracing for a possible mass downgrade of euro zone countries as soon as this week after EU leaders failed to come up with decisive measures to tackle the region's debt crisis.

Greece wants to move fast in bailout talks with the EU, IMF and bankers, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Monday, reaffirming the aim of clinching a voluntary debt restructuring deal by end-January before the country heads to elections.

Stocks fell on Monday on lingering concerns over a deal for economic integration in Europe and after Intel cut its revenue outlook.

European shares retreated on Monday as enthusiasm faded over a European Union deal on greater fiscal integration, with the market unconvinced that the EU has done enough to provide immediate relief to the Eurozone's indebted countries.

An agreement reached by European countries for deeper economic integration was a step in the right direction but not a complete solution for the euro zone's debt crisis, International Monetary Fund chief economist Olivier Blanchard said on Sunday.

An agreement reached by European countries for deeper economic integration was a step in the right direction but not a complete solution for the Eurozone's debt crisis, International Monetary Fund Economic Counsellor Olivier Blanchard said Sunday.

Hungary's government would like an aid package of between 10 billion euros and 15 billion euros from the European Union and International Monetary Fund to stabilize its economy, preferably on favorable terms, but it would be willing to accept a stricter deal, bank analysts said.

Hungary's government is aiming for a 10-15 billion euro package from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union to stabilize its economy, preferably with lighter terms, but would be also willing to accept a stricter deal, bank analysts said.

It seems that the former IMF Chief made a habit of attending group sex parties and orgies; something he himself admitted to, although he added that he never realized any woman in the party was paid for the sex.

Gold prices edged higher Friday after Eurozone leaders, in their eighth sovereign debt crisis summit this year, agreed to craft a treaty that will limit the ability of members to run-up unsustainable government debts.

Six months after a hotel maid accused former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of rape attempt, surveillance camera footages have emerged which the maid's lawyers call further proof against him.

Europe divided on Friday in a historic rift over building a fiscal union to preserve the euro, with a large majority of countries led by Germany and France agreeing to move ahead with a separate treaty, leaving Britain isolated.

European leaders agreed on stricter budget rules for the euro zone Friday, but failed to secure changes to the EU treaty among all 27 member states, meaning a deal will instead have to involve just euro zone states and any others that want to join.

The European Central Bank doused on Thursday hopes it will aggressively ramp up its bond-buying program and allow the euro zone to lend money to IMF so it can help fight the Eurozone debt crisis.

World stocks nudged up and the euro held its ground on Wednesday as a crucial period for the euro zone began, with investors expecting the bloc's central bank to cut rates and its leaders to agree a plan to solve the region's debt crisis.

European stocks rose while bonds and the euro were mostly steady on Thursday ahead of a European Central Bank meeting that is expected to cut interest rates, the first act in two crunch days for efforts to quell the euro zone's debt crisis.

A Japanese government official said on Thursday he had not heard of a reported $600 billion IMF lending facility to help the euro zone, although Japan would consider providing bilateral loans to the Fund if warranted by developments in Europe.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner spoke with ECB President Mario Draghi and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde by telephone on Wednesday during a whirlwind round of diplomacy ahead of an EU summit, a U.S. Treasury official said.

The aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings is at a critical juncture and economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa must include all members of society to fulfill the promise of the Arab Spring, according to Christine Lagarde, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief, who spoke on Tuesday.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in Germany on Tuesday that the European Central Bank was playing a positive role in the euro zone debt crisis, but he played down talk that the U.S. Federal Reserve could boost IMF funding for the crisis.

Partly owing to the huge sex scandal commenced by former French presidential candidate Dominique Strauss-Kahn in New York earlier this year, French Parliament will debate a bill to ban prostitution in France on Tuesday. If passed, it could become law next year.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner arrived in Germany on Tuesday to advocate for Eurozone officials to definitively resolve the debt crisis.

With joblessness at 17 percent as of October, the country also faces a potential downgrade of its sovereign debt rating by credit agencies.

Biden met with Greece President Karolos Papoulias on Monday before beginning talks with new Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos. Biden arrived in Greece after traveling from Turkey. This week is seen as crucial for the struggling Eurozone. Italy's new government unveiled austerity measures that European leaders hope will be the start of a turning point in the struggle to keep the euro intact.

The catalyst for strong equities has been centered on the developments in Europe