London - US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev moved to open a new chapter in relations between their two nations Wednesday by agreeing to draw up a new deal on nuclear disarmament.

Following a meeting in London ahead of Thursday's summit of Group of 20 (G20) leading world economies, both presidents pledged to "move further along the path of reducing and limiting strategic offensive arms," in a joint statement issued after their first meeting since Obama's inauguration.

Havana  - Cuba's retired leader Fidel Castro Wednesday showed a flash of his former outspoken self, writing that this week's G20 summit in London reflects deep conflicts and yet holds the welfare of the world's workers in its hands.

The article, published in Cuban state media, also stressed the importance of the summit for the world.

Manila - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Wednesday it has expanded its trade finance facilitation programme to 1 billion dollars to help ease a "dramatic reduction" in funding caused by the global financial crisis.

The Manila-based ADB said the programme's expansion could generate up to 15 billion dollars in much-needed trade support by the end of 2013.

Gibraltar/Madrid  - The United States and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar have signed an agreement that will allow them to exchange tax information, Gibraltar and Spanish media reported Wednesday.

The agreement was signed by US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana in London in advance of the G20 meeting, which will discuss measures against offshore tax evasion.

London  - Leaders of the world's big economic powers are gathering Wednesday in London ahead of a landmark crisis summit to combat the worldwide recession and revamp the global financial system.

The summit of the leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) major industrialized countries and emerging economies is to open with a reception at Buckingham Palace and a working dinner at the residence of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the G20 host.