Fed debates merits of earlier rate hike given U.S. jobs gains

(Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve hinted on Wednesday that a surprisingly strong jobs market recovery could lead it to raise interest rates earlier than it had been anticipating.

EU election casts shadow over euro zone as ECB meeting approaches

(Reuters) - Investors this week will be watching the results of elections that could deal a blow to political parties that are key to reform efforts in the European Union and could also fan instability in Ukraine.

Britain presses its territories on tax action before G8

LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron will press Britain's overseas tax havens to sign up to an international transparency treaty in London on Saturday, before he meets leaders of G8 economies to push for coordinated global action on tax avoidance and evasion.

Fed's Williams says U.S. must get fiscal house in order

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The United States must trim the deficit and control the national debt, but take care not to jeopardize the recovery by moving too fast or cutting critical areas of government spending, a top Federal Reserve official said on Monday.

US consumer spending strengthens, inflation eases

WASHINGTON: US consumer spending rose modestly in April while incomes grew more slowly and inflation pressures eased, according to Commerce Department data published on Friday.