The Bank of Japan's new governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Thursday pledged "all-out efforts" to rid Japan of growth-sapping deflation as gloomy new trade data underlined the scale of the task ahead.

Japan logged another trade deficit in February, this time of $8.1 billion according to the latest figures, reversing a year-earlier surplus and underscoring the uncertain state of the world's third-largest economy.

US government-controlled mortgage giant Freddie Mac has sued more than a dozen of the world's biggest banks over losses from the alleged rigging of the Libor interest rate.

Myanmar on Wednesday announced the abolition of its US dollar proxy currency, in the latest step towards economic normalisation as the impoverished former pariah opens to the world.

South Africa's central bank held off cutting interest rates to boost the continent's largest economy Wednesday, as rising inflation bound the hands of policymakers.

The euro sank 0.5 percent Tuesday as Cyprus threw its EU-IMF bailout in question when legislators rejected a controversial bank deposit tax meant to raise funds for the government.

US stocks closed mixed Tuesday, holding on as the Cyprus financial crisis threatened to ignite more turmoil across the European financial system.

Europe's main stock markets suffered further losses and the euro slid on Tuesday as Cyprus' international bailout appeared close to unravelling.

Europe's main stock markets dipped on Tuesday ahead of a key parliamentary vote in Cyprus on a crucial bailout deal that sent global share prices reeling the previous day.

Swiss financial giant UBS said Tuesday it was poised to quit the panel which sets the Euribor benchmark rate for lending in euros between banks, becoming the latest player to leave.

Beijing and Washington have "enormous shared interests", China's new President Xi Jinping told the US Treasury chief on Tuesday in his first major diplomatic meeting since taking office.

The euro sank against other major currencies Monday after the proposed bailout for Cyprus, including a steep tax on bank depositors, revived concerns about the eurozone.

Pakistan's government has become the first in history to complete a full term in office, but a raft of key achievements has been overshadowed by mismanagement, economic decline and worsening security.

Pakistan's government has become the first in history to complete a full term in office, but a raft of key achievements has been overshadowed by mismanagement, economic decline and worsening security.

US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew will press Beijing on cybersecurity issues when he meets with China's new leadership next week, a senior US administration official said Friday.

Oil prices rose on Friday as a weaker US currency made the dollar-priced commodity cheaper, spurring demand, analysts said.

Venezuela is planning a complementary system to increase a supply of dollars hindered by strict currency control measures, acting President Nicolas Maduro said.

Asian markets mostly fell on Wednesday, with few catalysts to drive buying after recent gains, while Wall Street provided a limp lead.

The yen strengthened in Asia on Wednesday as forex markets reacted to reports that Japan's main opposition party objects to one of Tokyo's nominees to lead the central bank.

Shares in London closed a little higher on Tuesday, drawing support from more positive Eurozone macroeconomic news.