Analysis: Canadian dollar set to drop further as economy struggles

NEW YORK/TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar, which has been declining against the U.S. dollar so far this year, is expected to slip further in the near term as a slowing Canadian economy and cooling housing market keep the nation's interest rates near historic low levels.

Latvia formally applies to join eurozone

Latvia has applied to join the eurozone next year, a sign of the faith in the troubled currency bloc as it looks to become the 18th member.

Greece, in trouble elsewhere, boosts cooperation with Turkey

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Beset by economic crisis at home, Greece took a symbolic step towards improving relations with long-time arch rival Turkey on Monday by pledging to double annual trade with its eastern neighbor over the next three years.

Big US budget cuts begin as both sides trade blame

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans have refused to concede any share of the blame for failing to stave off automatic spending cuts that will slash $85 billion in federal spending.

Egypt needs to fix economy, strike IMF deal-Kerry

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's need to get the economy back on its feet is paramount and urgent, and the government should strike a loan deal with the IMF, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday.

Canada seen recouping some past job losses in February

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian economy probably recouped some jobs in February that it lost earlier this year, but tepid growth most likely limited hiring to 8,000 net new positions, a Reuters survey of economists showed on Friday.

UK economy shrank in late 2012, recession in sight

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's economy contracted by 0.3 percent in the last quarter of 2012 as first thought, keeping alive the danger of a third recession since 2008, although yearly growth was revised up, data showed on Wednesday.