WASHINGTON — U.S. banks will prepay about $45 billion in premiums to replenish a federal deposit insurance fund now in the red, under a plan adopted Thursday by federal regulators.

The end is near as Hollywood does the apocalypse with ‘2012,’ ‘The Road,’ other tales of doom.

The end is near as Hollywood does the apocalypse

APEC: Nations must rein in stimulus spending, ensure stable growth in post-crisis period

President Barack Obama speaks briefly on Afghanistan

APEC ministers brainstorm strategy to sustain global economic recovery, back food security

Setback in Bear Stearns case should force government to change tactics in other meltdown cases

Setback in Bear Stearns case may force gov’t shift

US stimulus and low-interest policies mirror Japan’s steps in the 1990s, steps that backfired

US risks following Japan’s example of stagnancy

UN food agency chief calls for hunger strike to push leaders to act for world’s 1b hungry

UN agency calls for global fast against hunger

Geithner says moves by Japan, China to spur domestic demand will lead to more stable growth

APEC ministers agree economic crisis far from over; Clinton calls for action on global warming

APEC ministers agree economic crisis far from over

China figures on output, trade and retail sales show economic growth on track

China industrial output,retail sales up in October

Airbus’ biggest buyer for A380 says delivery delayed, but Emirates airline still may buy more

Emirates mulls more Airbus A380s despite delays

Sen. Dodd calls for giving government sweeping new powers to prevent another economic collapse

AIG shares rise on Moody’s anticipation of full government repayment

AIG shares up, Moody’s sees government repayment

Oil rises above $77 in Asia amid weakening dollar, improving crude demand outlook

Asia-Pacific leaders outline new growth strategies, open trade; no new climate initiatives

Obama boosts hopes for future Asia-Pacific free-trade region encompassing 21 APEC members

Rice where there was none: Kenyan irrigation shows gov’t investment can stem food shortages

Obama says US will join Asia-Pacific free-trade area in strong show against protectionism

NY Fed president: Financial system can learn from its crisis, become more resilient in future

Wealthy are slowly starting to spend again, but middle class still hurting

Weak dollar no quick fix for narrowing trade gap as deficit widens in Sept. by most since 1999

European stocks steady ahead of Wall Street; investors looking to see if S&P can break 1,100

China president vows to grow domestic demand, urges tighter oversight of international finance

Eurozone out of recession after economy grows 0.4 percent in third quarter

Eurozone emerges from recession after economy grows 0.4 percent in third quarter

Asia leading world out of global economic crisis, business leaders say at APEC forum

New Orleans international art show refocuses, hopes economic rebound will boost attendance

UN children’s agency official warns of looming famine in south Sudan, says more funds needed

Commercial banks decrease borrowing from Federal Reserve’s emergency lending program

Draft declaration for UN food summit calls on world to back new strategy against hunger

US banks prepaying about $45 billion in premiums to replenish insurance fund in new FDIC plan