G20

Japan joined the U.S. push for more government spending to fight the economic crisis on Friday but G20 unity looked seriously compromised after Paris accused Washington of disregarding the urgent need for tough market regulation.

Finance ministers and central bankers from Brazil, Russia, India and China will convene ahead of the Group of 20 finance chiefs' meeting in London on Friday, a Russian delegation source told Reuters on Thursday.

The global economy may shrink 1-2 percent this year, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said, as revised Japanese data confirmed the world's No. 2 economy suffered its deepest slump since the oil shock of 1974.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday that Group of 20 nations need to boost spending for as long as necessary to counter a severe financial crisis.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday said leaders from the Group of 20 rich and developing economies should agree early next month on principles to guide nations as they revamp financial rules to prevent future crises.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday said leaders from the Group of 20 rich and developing economies should agree early next month on principles to guide nations as they revamp financial rules to prevent future crises.

Top executives of leading U.S., Japanese and European banks will meet in London this month to discuss regulation and other issues key to the future of the financial system, two industry sources said.

Leaders of the G20 developed and emerging countries should not backtrack on their agreement last year to fight protectionism when they meet in London in April, the head of the World Trade Organization said on Wednesday.

European leaders meet on Sunday to form a consensual approach to tackle the global economic crisis, while U.S. President Barack Obama is due to unveil an ambitious plan to cut the ballooning deficit in half by 2013. Financial markets plumbed new lows last week on fears governments may have to intervene to nationalize struggling banks and as grim global economic data sent investors scurrying to se...

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Friday Washington was following a strong dollar policy and indicated he expected it to rebound, emphasizing the U.S. economy's long-term strength should help the currency.

The top U.S. trade negotiator said on Sunday before meeting a group of developing nations the United States was committed to a successful outcome of current world trade talks.

The top U.S. trade negotiator said on Sunday before meeting a group of developing nations the United States was committed to a successful outcome of current world trade talks.