GLOBAL ECONOMY

* Ecuador extended its shutdown of the country’s banks, a move to halt a run on deposits that would lead to a collapse of its $13.8-billion banking industry. The government extended the shutdown that began Monday by declaring a state of emergency to counter a two-day nationwide strike by workers groups protesting President Jamil Mahuad’s economic policies. By extending the bank shutdown, Ecuador is trying to prevent a run on its banks after analysts said the second-largest bank, Banco del Progreso, last week asked for government help. The emergency measure has sparked panic that Ecuador’s $20-billion economy is in worse shape than previously thought.