Japan unveils $110 billion plan to fund Asia infrastructure, eye on AIIB

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan unveiled a plan on Thursday to provide $110 billion in aid for Asian infrastructure projects, as China prepares to launch a new institutional lender that is seen as encroaching on the regional financial clout of Tokyo and its ally Washington.

Economy improving, so why layoffs?

The economy appears to be gaining steam, but companies are still laying off hundreds of workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and thousands across the country.

U.S. cuts Swaziland from trade benefits, reinstates Madagascar

(Reuters) - The United States cut Swaziland from a duty-free trade program on Thursday because of concerns about crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations and poor protection of workers' rights.

Japan's Suga: Not sure if Japan, U.S. can agree on trade

(Reuters) - Japan's top government spokesman said on Friday that he is not sure whether Japan and the United States can reach an agreement in bilateral trade talks needed to push forward with the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact, unless Japan's position is accepted.

IMF's Lagarde says can't do much about reform without U.S. support

(Reuters) - International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said on Sunday that there was not much she should could to push reform at her organization and give emerging economies a bigger say without the support of the United States.

EU seeks to increase influence on global accounting rules

(Reuters) - The European Union is seeking to increase its influence over global accounting standards by beefing up the agency that scrutinizes new rules and in certain cases tweaking how they are applied in the bloc.

EU, US aim to overcome key trade talks barrier by January

Differences on norms set for anything from food and aviation safety, to standards for electric cars or the regulation of financial services, stand in the way of efforts to strike an ambitious transatlantic deal creating the world's largest free trade area.

EU to start trade talks with US despite scandal

BRUSSELS: The European Union confirmed Tuesday that free-trade negotiations with the United States should kick off as planned next week, despite widespread concerns over the alleged eavesdropping of EU diplomats.

U.S., UK bank seizure plans focus on absorbing losses: regulators

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Both the United States and United Kingdom have developed viable approaches to seizing and unwinding failing global financial institutions, but more work is needed on the UK side to ensure that losses can be adequately absorbed, American and UK regulators said on Sunday.

Christine Lagarde says IMF needs less new funds than thought

WASHINGTON: International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said Wednesday that the Fund probably needs less new money for crisis intervention than the $500 billion earlier anticipated, crediting action by the eurozone for the change.

ET, the new alien scaring global markets

The United States is coming to be seen as a global threat, acting unilaterally with aggressive new market rules that critics say will hurt U.S. firms, foreign banks, and international markets in one swoop.

Obama orders blocking of Iranian properties in US

WASHINGTON: In a move bound to rattle Tehran, US President Barack Obama on Monday issued an executive order blocking property of the Iranian government and its financial institutions in America.

Iran threatens retaliation over oil embargo

TEHRAN: Iran's supreme leader threatened on Friday to retaliate against the West for sanctions, a day after a US newspaper said defence secretary Leon Panetta believed Israel was likely to bomb Iran within months to stop it building a nuclear bomb.

Analysis: Chinese financial help could carry risk for Europe

HONG KONG (Reuters) - As a cash-strapped Europe scrambles to woo China's support for a financial rescue package, human rights groups and dissidents are warning that in taking such help, the West will sacrifice some leverage over China.

Geithner Says Europe Must ‘Move Quickly’

U.S Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said Europe remains the “central challenge” to global growth and must “move quickly” to restore financial stability.