October saw the largest one-month fall in U.S. retail sales, government figures showed, as job worries and declining home values caused shopping to grind to a halt.
The 2.8 percent drop in U.S. retail sales came amid confirmation most of Europe is in recession, which is sure to be part of the discussion when 20 world leaders meet this weekend in Washington.
Troubled American mortgage holders could get relief under a new plan from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).
Speaker: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Conway Gittens reports from New York. Conway Gittens, Reuters
SOUNDBITE: Gordon Brown, British prime minister.
