The New Zealand dollar rose to a two-week high as gains in equity markets in Europe and the US, and signs of growth in the US housing sector helped lift risk appetite and demand for growth-linked currencies and commodities. The kiwi dollar rose to 85.64 US cents, and earlier reached the highest since April 15 at 85.74 cents, from 85.20 …

Wall Street and European stocks gained as the latest economic data underpinned expectations that monetary policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic will signal a fresh commitment to their plans to revive growth. US Federal Reserve policy makers begin a two-day meeting on Tuesday amid a slew of recent economic data indicating weakness in the pace of the recovery. …

Last week, the WTO had a chance to haul itself out of the dreary post-Doha doldrums in which it has been languishing for years. Back in the day, with Uruguay Round exuberance echoing around the world, business coalitions and free trade activists would meet to discuss tactics and opportunities to grow the global economy. Now they shake themselves out of …