 |
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.enetenglish.gr |
How the world sees Greece
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Unicef: One child in three in Greece is at risk of poverty or social exclusion
Unicef says that some 686,000 children, or 35.4% of the total, were at risk of poverty or social ...
UNICEF: A third of minors in Greece at risk of poverty
The quality of life of children in Greece has worsened due to cuts in social benefits, a growing number of unemployed parents, increasing poverty levels and inadequate access to medical care, according to a report by the children’s charity UNICEF, whose f... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Greeks' bureaucratic paper chases just got a bit easier
Greeks will no longer have to submit original or certified copies of official documents to the country’s public administration, according to a circular issued by Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakos, which means that regular photocopies of t... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Mosquito spraying to start in Greece due to West Nile threat
Deputy Health Minister Zeta Makri on Thursday gave the go-ahead to local authorities in Attica, Larissa in central Greece and eastern Macedonia in the north of the country to start spraying chemicals from the air to ward off mosquitoes which have appeared... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Racism ‘entrenched’ in Greek police, says Amnesty International
An investigation by Amnesty International has found “entrenched racism, excessive use of force and deep-rooted impunity” in the Greek Police.
“Our investigation shows that the Golden Dawn debacle is only the tip of the iceberg,” said AI spokesperson Jezer... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Lady Gaga to stop in Greece in September on world tour
Lady Gaga’s 2014 world tour, “ArtRave: The Artpop Ball,” is coming to Athens this September and promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
The American singer-songwriter is one of the most popular music artists in the world, making her stop in Athens so... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Transparency International links drop in corruption to crisis
Corruption in Greece’s public and private sectors dipped by 15 percent last year, according to a report carried out by the Greek branch of Transparency International which found that 30 percent of respondents said they refused to deliver under-the-table p... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Assad and the Palestinians
The three-year old Syrian crisis presents dire dilemmas for Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and in refugee camps across the Middle East. Given Syria's traditional role as a sponsor of Palestinian resistance movements and a home to hundreds of thousands of refugees, Palestinian leaders are understandably torn between loyalties to President Bashar al-Assad and his enemies.
Palestinians have fought in Syria on behalf of both the regime and the rebels. The conflict has deepened ideological and political wedges between Palestinians and complicated their patchwork of international alliances. Moreover, as various proxy battles are waged within Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, the Palestinian refugees there are now enduring an underreported humanitarian crisis.Syria's Role in the Palestinian Resistance
Historical bonds between Palestinian resistance movements, refugees, and the Syrian government have complicated Palestinian attitudes toward the grinding civil war in Syria. In 1948, 90,000 Palestinians fled to Syria as refugees. Since then, several hundred thousand more have arrived and settled in large refugee camps, such as Yarmouk in Damascus.
Syria has been more than just a host to refugees--it has actively fomented Palestinian resistance to Israel. The Syrian government armed, financed, and protected various left-leaning Palestinian guerilla groups that were established in Yarmouk during the 1960s. Two of these groups included the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Marxist-Leninist group founded in 1967, and the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Council (PFLP-GC), established in 1968 as a splinter group from the PFLP.
The Assad regime has also funded Islamist Palestinian movements. After Jordanian authorities kicked Hamas' leadership out of Amman in 1999, the Palestinian group established its political bureau in Damascus and received weaponry, financial assistance, and political support from the Syrian regime.
This partnership was ideologically paradoxical for the rigidly secular Assad regime. Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, whose Syrian branch waged an uprising against the Syrian regime from 1976-1982. The uprising ended with a regime-led offensive against rebel-controlled Hama--Syria's third-largest city--that left tens of thousands of civilians dead and still rallies jihadist rebels against the Assad regime. Despite this bloody history, Bashar al-Assad's support for groups such as Hamas (and the more radical Palestinian Islamic Jihad) played into Syria's grander geostrategic strategy of countering Israel's military dominance in the Levant by arming anti-Israel proxy networks.A Resistance Divided
The outbreak of violence in Syria complicated Damascus' relationship with these resistance groups, strengthening its ties with certain secular Palestinian currents but sundering them with most of the Islamists. Assad's Palestinian backers have generally framed their narratives of the Syrian crisis around a Western-backed conspiracy to overthrow the only Arab regime that remains willing to confront Israel. The Palestinian supporters of the rebellion, however, view Assad as a dictator responsible for killing his own people. Rebel supporters are quick to bring up the massacre of Palestinian refugees at the Lebanese camp of Tel al-Zaatar in 1976, for which Hafez al-Assad's forces bore responsibility.
The PFLP-GC and the West Bank-based Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party have thrown their weight behind Assad, as have several prominent religious and civil society figures in the West Bank--including Bishop Atallah Hanna (the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia), Murad al-Sudani (Secretary-General of the Palestinian Writers' Union), and Adel Samara (a left-leaning intellectual). Hamas, however, severed ties with the Assad regime and openly declared support for the Free Syrian Army (FSA). Meanwhile, certain Gaza-based Salafist factions, including the Mujahedeen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, have supported the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), even after al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri disavowed the notorious Syrian rebel group this past January. According to Mohammed Hijazi, an expert on Islamist movements in Gaza, "scores of Salafists in Gaza" have traveled to Syria to fight alongside ISIS and other al-Qaeda-linked groups.
Meanwhile, Fatah, the dominant party within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA), has been forced to take a neutral stance on the Syria conflict while also trying to stand up for the safety of Palestinians inside Syria. Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the PA as well as the PLO, is currently preoccupied with peace negotiations with Israel. Abbas does not want to antagonize the Syrian government or the Palestinian groups it supports. Yet he also does not want to invest his already limited political capital in supporting a regime that has committed serious human rights violations. Nor does he want to alienate the Obama administration, which he needs on his side to pressure Israel over sensitive topics like settlements or the right of return. Additionally, both pro- and anti-Assad groups within the Palestinian resistance stand to gain political capital if the PLO's seemingly moribund peace negotiations with Israel ultimately fail and more Palestinians become convinced that a peaceful solution to the conflict with Israel cannot be found.
As these divisions simmer, Palestinian refugee camps in Syria have become sites of violent clashes between Palestinian and Syrian groups with opposing stakes in the conflict. When many analysts expected the regime to lose control of Damascus, the PFLP-GC militants fought against rebels in the capital, leading anti-Assad forces to target the Yarmouk camp, precipitating a serious humanitarian crisis. Food and medicine supplies were cut as the Syrian Army laid siege to the camp in July 2013. The government was able to negotiate a fragile ceasefire to bring aid into Yarmouk, but on March 2, the al-Qaeda-affiliated rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra moved in and imposed its own siege. Although the PFLP-GC retains significant support and influence among the refugees, the Free Syrian Army has made inroads in the area as the siege continues.
Both sides in the Syrian conflict espouse the Palestinian cause and accuse the other of serving Israel's interests. Officials in Damascus claim that Israel sponsors the insurgents to destabilize the last Arab state willing to confront Tel Aviv. The Islamist rebels, however, criticize the Assad regime for pacifying Syria's border with Israel for the last four decades and failing to re-conquer the occupied Golan Heights. Certain elements within the Islamist rebellion have stated their intentions to "liberate" Palestine after they "liberate" Syria by toppling the Ba'athist regime in Damascus, however ill-equipped they are to truly challenge Israel on the battlefield. Thus, both sides play the "Palestinian card" to attack the other while appealing to wider pan-Arab and pan-Islamic trends in the Middle East.Shifting Geopolitical Winds
As the Syrian crisis enters its fourth year, the evolution of the conflict could have major implications for Palestinians.
Following several Israeli bombings of strategic sites in Syria, Assad has threatened to retaliate against Israel. Ultimately, given that the Syrian Army is bogged down fighting the insurgents, it is doubtful that Damascus would initiate an Arab-Israeli war. However, if Assad does retaliate, the Palestinians--particularly those living in Israel proper--will have much at stake.
Iran is also a factor. When Iran and Hamas' relationship cooled as a consequence of their opposing stakes in the Syrian crisis, Iran cut its support for Hamas and increased its assistance to the PFLP and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Although Iran and Hamas achieved a rapprochement in late 2013, ultimately agreeing to disagree on Syria, it appears that Iran's renewed support for Hamas has not come at the expense of its sponsorship of these other groups, which have been at odds with Hamas for many years due to various political disputes. Since Hamas ended its relationship with the Assad regime and the Egyptian military ousted the Muslim Brotherhood government in Cairo, the Gaza-based group has been hard pressed to find foreign sponsors. Within this context, Hamas has been careful not to antagonize Iran by clamping down on Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other Gaza-based groups that have violated Israel-Hamas ceasefires. Therefore, the Syrian crisis has forced Hamas to recognize other political powers in Gaza as a consequence of Iranian pressure.
The potential for Salafist groups, such as ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, to carve out a de facto Islamic emirate in parts of northern Syria could send reverberations through the West Bank and Gaza as well. In both territories, Palestinian Salafist groups have challenged Fatah and Hamas' authority in several ways, including by launching terrorist attacks. Gaza-based Salafists, meanwhile, have traveled to Syria to fight alongside ISIS. With such currents gaining greater power in the Egyptian Sinai, Lebanon, and western Iraq, al-Qaeda's dream of establishing a borderless Islamic emirate in the Levant will continue to impact the regional environment. Under such circumstances, Hamas will likely be compelled to strike a balance between leading the jihad against Israel while simultaneously restraining other groups that seek to steal the resistance banner as Hamas engages in ceasefire negotiations with Israeli authorities.
As the Syrian crisis appears to have no easy solution in sight and the Palestinians' internal divisions are unlikely to resolve in the near-term, the Syrian conflict's polarizing impact will likely be felt within the Palestinian population for the foreseeable future. Of course, while the stateless Palestinians have less capacity to influence events in Syria compared to major regional powers that are heavily involved in the conflict, nearly all Palestinians understand that their people have high stakes in Syria.This article was originally published by Foreign Policy in Focus, a project sponsored by the Washington, DC-based Institute for Policy Studies.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.huffingtonpost.com |
Ex-Greece coach Rehhagel given lifetime achievement award by Germany's DFB
KathimeriniEx-Greece coach Rehhagel given lifetime achievement award by Germany's DFBKathimeriniFormer Werder Bremen and Greece coach Otto Rehhagel became the fourth German manager to be honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the country's football association (DFB) on Thursday. The 75-year-old, whose biggest success was leading ...and more »
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Greek Entrepreneur Leaves Athens to Collect Wild Greens
The entrepreneurship and success stories of the young Greek generation give people hope and many alternative ideas on how to beat the
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Greece to Return to Bond Market In April
After six years of recession, and only two years after defaulting on its debts, the government in Athens believes it can return
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Thebes: Ancient Priceless Coins Found in Burglar’s House
Greek police have uncovered a priceless treasure while searching the home of a 29-year-old man who had recently committed at least six burglaries around
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
UNICEF: Hundreds of Greek Children Living in Poverty
A UNICEF report has revealed the devastating effect on children of the financial crisis in Greece. The sharp end of welfare cuts, unemployment, economic
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Greek aide shields PM in furor over investigation of far-right
ATHENS (Reuters) - With Greece in political uproar, a former top aide to the prime minister tried to shield him on Thursday from a scandal over the prosecution of far-right political opponents.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.reuters.com |
Greek Businessman Plans Humanitarian Drones
The Greek businessman Andreas Raptopoulos is planning drones – unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) – that take on a humanitarian nature with the potential to deliver medical supplies to roadless areas. “When you think of all the robotics ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT usa.greekreporter.com |
Copy business with a difference
Petros Demertzis had already noticed the declining state of Greek media a few years ago, but when newspapers and radio and television stations began shutting down and his colleagues started losing their jobs with little hope of finding new ones, he wracke... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Greek prime minister facing resignation calls after aide's Golden Dawn gaffe
The Greek prime minister, Antonis Samaras, has been plunged into a fresh political crisis after his chief of staff was caught on camera accusing him of instigating a judicial inquiry against the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party for political gain.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com |
Legend of the 12 Archontopoula
If you are fortunate enough to visit one of the remote mountain villages of Crete, and if you are not fluent in the language, but have the services of a local translator, you will hear one of the most fascinating stories ever told. The tale has been transmitted as “oral history” for years in the […]
The post Legend of the 12 Archontopoula appeared first on The National Herald.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com |
Amnesty International criticizes Greek police
ATHENS (AP) — The rights group Amnesty International says it has found a culture of impunity and abuse within the Greek police, which it also criticizes for inadequately responding to hate crimes and attacks by far-right groups on migrants and protesters.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT news.yahoo.com |
Rights group Amnesty International cites culture of impunity, racism in Greek police
The rights group Amnesty International says it has found a culture of impunity and abuse within the Greek police, which it also criticizes for inadequately responding to hate crimes and attacks by far-right groups on migrants and protesters.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.foxnews.com |
Greece's Privatization Target Cut for 2014
Greece's Privatization Target Cut for 2014Wall Street JournalATHENS—Greece's international creditors have agreed to cut its privatization target for the current year, the head of the country's asset-sale agency said Thursday. The asset sales target has been lowered to €1.5 billion ($2.06 billion) in 2014 from a ...Greek privatisation agency confirms 2014 receipts target loweredReutersall 3 news articles »
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT online.wsj.com |
The ‘bad-ass’ of Athens
The one man show Socrates Now not only brings the Greek philosopher to life, but also his relevance to today, writes Tom Cardy . Socrates, one of the founders of Western philosophy, was famously put to death in 399BC for allegedly corrupting the minds of ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.stuff.co.nz |
Open in East Meadow: Yevma Authentic Greek Cuisine
Open in East Meadow: Yevma Authentic Greek CuisineNewsdayThe menu lists two authentic Greek specialties that are available only Thursday to Sunday: kokoretsi ($16.95), or slow-roasted lamb intestines, and kontosouvli, slow-roasted skewered pork ($15.95). Other intriguing choices include panseta, or thick ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT long-island.newsday.com |
Amnesty finds culture of impunity, racism and violence in Greek police
Successive Greek governments have failed to acknowledge, let alone tackle, human rights violation...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.enetenglish.gr |
El-Erian: Caution optimism about Greece's return to capital markets
FORTUNE – The Greek Government caused quite a stir this week when it announced it would soon re-enter the international capital markets. Rightly so. It is a big deal for a sovereign to be able to place its first voluntary bond issuance after ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT finance.fortune.cnn.com |
Amnesty Says Greek Police Too Close to Golden Dawn
A report by Amnesty International, entitled A law unto themselves: A culture of abuse and impunity in the Greek police, reveals multiple incidents of police brutality and the close relationship of some police officials with the ultra ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Greek table tennis players fund tickets to worlds
Greek table tennis players fund tickets to worldsGlobalPostUnable to fund the eight-member team for the April 28 to May 5 championships in Japan, the players themselves provided the 23,000 euros ($31,557) needed to the Greek Table Tennis Federation as a loan. "I am very excited and proud that the players ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.globalpost.com |
Two Greek Islands Top Destinations for Gay Couples
British tourist agencies recommend the Greek islands of Mykonos and Lesbos as ideal honeymoon destinations for gay couples, who are now legally
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
It's Too Expensive To Get Into Robotics So These Students Designed A $75 Robot Kit
Lavanya and Melissa Jawaharlal are the two-sister team who want to make entry level robotics much more affordable.
They co-founded Stem Center USA as a means of providing hands-on robotics education for young students, and their Kickstarter project, the Pi-Bot, will make this an especially achievable goal.
Named for its resemblance to the Greek letter, the Pi-Bot aims to be a new type of robotics kit. As Melissa explains in the pitch video below, current robotics kits are "either too complicated or overly simplistic, but always much too expensive."
The Pi-Bot was designed with an eye towards affordability and ease of construction while still employing real-world components like sonar and light sensors, as well as a four-speed gearbox that Kickstarter backers will build from scratch.
Here's what the completed bot looks like:
The sisters have already met their fundraising goal of $70,000, so if you want one of these for yourself, check out their Kickstarter page to contribute before the campaign ends (there are seven days left!).
Join the conversation about this story »
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.businessinsider.com |
Less corruption in Greece, study finds
KathimeriniLess corruption in Greece, study findsKathimeriniThe levels of corruption in Greece's public and private sectors went down in 2013 according to a report carried out by Transparency International Greece. The survey showed that the number of cases reporting corruption was down by 15 percent last year ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Amnesty International slams Greek police for 'culture of abuse and impunity'
Greek law enforcement forces use excess force against protesters and ill-treat migrants and refugees, Amnesty International said in a report published on Thursday.
In the study, titled “A law unto themselves: A culture of abuse and impunity in the Greek p... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Greek Shrimp and Pasta
Greek Shrimp and PastaFox11online.comHeat oil in a large skillet. Add shrimp and cook for a minute on one side. Flip shrimp over and cook another minute. Add garlic and tomatoes and cook 30 seconds stirring constantly. Season with a little salt, pepper, and Greek seasoning. Add wine or stock.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT fox11online.com |
CANADA: Danone launches Greek yoghurt for kids
Dairy giant Danone has launched a new Greek yoghurt which targets kids in Canada. The new yoghurt is said to be "the first yoghurt tailored to kids' tastes" and each 100g serving of Danino Greek contains 8g of protein. Danone claims Danino Greek has been ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.just-food.com |
Greece plans April bond market comeback from default-sources
* Ireland already out of bailout, Portugal to follow (Adds market reaction, background, context) With Greece showing signs of pulling out of a crippling recession, the government aims to raise 2 billion euros ($2.75 billion) in a sale of five-year bonds, banking sources told Thomson Reuters markets service IFR on Thursday. A power company is also poised to become the first Greek state-controlled ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT finance.yahoo.com |
Greek official criticizes proposed Athens mosque referendum
A proposal for holding a referendum on the building of a mosque in Athens will damage Greece's international reputation, a senior Greek official said Thursday. In a written statement Yorgos Kalacis from the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.worldbulletin.net |
European Central Bank meets as deflation fears grow
Few economists expect fresh action from the ECB today, despite eurozone inflation dropping to just 0.5%
UK service sector growth hits nine-month low
Euro firms keep slashing prices
Preview: ECB governing council meets today
Mark Carney won't rule out UK rate rise before election
12.34pm BST
Speaking of Spain, the Madrid Treasury held a successful debt auction this morning -- raising almost 5.6bn at lower yields (interest rates). This included 1.6bn of 10-year debt, at a yields of just 3.29%.
Ishaq Siddiqi of ETX Capital reckons "the worst of the crisis" is over in Spain:
Moreover, its a fine example of a peripheral country implementing structural reforms, initiatives and austerity to stimulate growth better than Italy, Greece and Portugal.
Furthermore, Spain just sold a total of EUR5.58b of bonds in an auction which we well-bid with ample demand, confirming the upbeat picture surrounding investor appetite for Spanish debt its hard not to be inspired by Spains progress.
12.23pm BST
As we await the ECB rate decision a reminder that there are only a couple of analysts surveyed going for a cut Goldmans predict -ve rate
12.11pm BST
Spain's stock market is outpacing the rest of Europe.
The IBEX has gained 0.8% today, as Madrid traders welcome the news this morning that the Spanish service sector grew at a faster pace last month (see this morning's blogpost for the details)
12.03pm BST
Just under forty-five minutes until the European Central Bank announces the result of today's governing council meeting.
Economists still don't expect any new measures from the ECB, despite inflation hitting just 0.5% last month.
"The ECB is primarily concerned about what is happening with inflation, and yes we have too little for the ECB's comfort.
"But I think they want to see if the most recent set of numbers marks a trough before acting further."
11.47am BST
The Bank of England has also released correspondence with prisoners who were incarcerated in the 18th and 19th century for the crime of forging banknotes.
Johanna McCarthy writes on 8 April 1818 from the Maria ship at Deptford that I am quite destitute of money and friends and have been confined in Newgate Bristol 13 months.
The Committee for Lawsuits records that McCarthy and two other female convicts who were on the point of sailing to Botany Bay be paid £5 each by the Solicitor in response to their pleas for relief.
11.27am BST
This is rather neat - the Bank of England has released a swathe of new documents from its archive.
The @BankofEngland as it looked in 1922 (From this great BoE flickr set https://t.co/CX4jl56Vmf) pic.twitter.com/aIiinNJMmA
11.14am BST
Willem Buiter, Citigroup's chief economist, reckons the European Central Bank won't take action today, but Mario Draghi may express concern over the strength of the euro:
Citi Buiter: "ECB will say tut tut abt the exchange rate today. The euro is on steroids. It's really hurting. But they will prob do nothing"
11.06am BST
Europe's stock markets are treading water ahead of the ECB decision and press conference.
The news overnight of a new mini-stimulus package in China has not sparked a rally (Beijing is putting more money into railway construction, and offering new tax breaks to small firms)
Macro event positioning, which is a clever way of saying doing nothing ahead of the European Central Bank meeting and non-farms, is the order of the day.
Scribes at UBS have boosted Tullow Oil (4%) to the top of the index this morning by upgrading them to buy, and the market likes B&Q owner Kingfishers (+2%) spot of cross-channel shopping as they pick up a controlling stake in French DIY chain Mr Bricolage.
10.45am BST
10.37am BST
Retail sales across the eurozone rose 0.4% last month, according to Eurostat, which may calm some fears over the state of Europe's economy.
The stats body reports that the retail sales in the non-food sector rose 0.8%, and there was a 0.3% increase in Food, drinks and tobacco. Automotive fuel sales fell by 0.8%.
Februarys further growth in retail sales boosts hopes that consumers are perking up and can help Eurozone growth to firm.
Strong retail figures today should put the euro zone deflationistas back in their box for another month. Surprise 0.4% rise in March.
The highest [monthly] increases in total retail trade were registered in Malta (+1.9%), Denmark, Romania and the United Kingdom (all +1.4%) and Germany (+1.3%), and the largest decreases in Estonia (-3.4%), Poland (-1.5%), Slovenia and Finland (both -1.4%).
10.19am BST
Andrew Tyrie also asked George Osborne about the Financial Services Authority, and the botched way it pre-briefed its inquiry into the life insurance industry last week.
10.07am BST
Heads-up: Chancellor George Osborne is appearing before the Treasury committee to discuss last month's Budget.
10.02am BST
And here's the chart showing how new orders into Britain's service sector dropped last month:
9.43am BST
Just in - growth in the UK service sector has fallen to its lowest rate since last June, but is still fairly robust.
Markit's UK Services PMI, based on data from thousands of firms across the country, dropped to 57.6, from 58.2 in February.
"As a whole, we may be seeing a slight downward trend at the start of this year, but we are hopeful that this healthy outlook is where we are now heading.
PMI is good news for us who think that UK rate expectations have got too far ahead of themselves and sterling is too high at the moment
While March saw growth slow across the services, manufacturing and construction sectors, all three continue to expand at very strong rates, meaning the economy looks to have grown by at least 0.7% again in the first quarter.
9.24am BST
Growth across the eurozone private sector slowed a little in March and firms kept slashing prices in a bid to drive demand - adding to already weak inflation in the euro area.
Markit's 'Composite PMI', based on this morning's service sector data and manufacturing reports early this week, fell to 53.1 from 53.3 a month earlier.
BREAKING: Euro zone March final composite PMI 53.1 vs 53.2 flash and 53.3 in February
Prices charged by manufacturers fell for the first time in seven months and charges levied for services were cut at a stronger rate, having fallen continually over the past 28 months.
The weakening price indices will stoke fears that deflationary forces are intensifying amid weak demand and near-record unemployment. But the survey responses also show that companies are pricing more aggressively, having become leaner and more productive which bodes well for competitiveness.
9.03am BST
That German service sector PMI reading is someway below expectations....
A 1-point downward revision to the German services PMI, that's very unusual and surprising given domestic/retail strength.
8.59am BST
But growth in Germany's services sector slowed in March, with its Services PMI falling to 53.0 from 56.4 in February. That's still comfortably in 'expansion' territory (>50).
8.58am BST
France's services sector has reported its strongest growth in over two years, with its Services PMI jumping to 51.5, from 47.2 in February.
8.57am BST
Bad news from Italy - activity in its service sector shrank last month, as firms failed to maintain the momentum recorded in February.
Unlike in manufacturing, where a recovery is now in full flow, the service sector looks to be stuck in a low gear with subdued domestic demand still weighing on activity.
Confidence among consumers and businesses alike is finally being restored, however, a factor which may help stimulate growth going forward.
8.51am BST
Spain's service sector has grown for the fifth month in a row, but firms are cutting jobs, according to Markit's monthly survey of purchasing managers across the country.
A further solid reduction in prices charged was recorded as companies reacted to strong competition and pressure from clients for discounts.
8.41am BST
Bank of England governor Mark Carney has refused to rule out raising interest rates ahead of next May's general election, in a trip to Durham.
Asked if he would rule out a rise before next Spring's election, he said: "No, absolutely not.
"When you raise interest rates it is a welcome sign. I share my colleague Charlie Bean's view that it is confirmation the economy is recovering after some very difficult years.
"I'm not sure we will get a lot of cards or letters to thank us, but we will do it when it needs to happen.
8.19am BST
There's a broad consensus that the ECB is unlikely to take action today, even though inflation is at a four-year low.
Policymakers have been willing in recent weeks to publicly broach cutting deposit rates below zero - effectively charging banks to hold cash with the ECB - or embarking on bond purchases as the United States, Japan and Britain have.
A straightforward cut in the ECB's main refinancing rate to 0.1 percent from 0.25 percent - or more complex changes to existing market programmes - are other possibilities.
Many believe persistent low inflation will force the ECB to ease further this year, but only three of the 57 economists polled by Bloomberg expect such an announcement to come out of Thursday's meeting.
Laurence Boone and Ruben Segura-Cayuela, from Bank of America, say their "inflation surprise" index keeps ratcheting lower as one shock after another hits the eurozone, while their gauge of "deflation vulnerability" has been flashing red for most EMU countries.
The effect is deeply corrosive even if the region never crosses the line into technical deflation. "Lowflation" near 0.5pc can play havoc with debt trajectories if it goes on for long, ultimately throwing Europe back into a debt crisis. "The biggest threat to public debt dynamics is weaker-than-expected inflation. Merely lower than expected inflation, not even deflation, would lead to a significant deterioration in countries public finances," they said.
8.02am BST
Also coming up today....
7.55am BST
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the financial markets, the world economy, the eurozone and business.
More monetary easing, including through unconventional measures, is needed in the euro area to raise the prospects of achieving the ECB's price stability objective.
this time is different: few expect something #ECB
The consensus still remains for rates to remain on hold, but it is slowly shifting to some form of action with some predicting a cut of 0.15% in the headline rate and a negative deposit rate. This still seems unlikely at this stage, and even if implemented would have little lasting effect after the surprise factor had been digested.
On the subject of a negative deposit rate, the implementation of such a measure could well do far more harm than good, particularly with so many European banks already struggling for profitability and looking to build up their balance sheets in preparation for the upcoming Asset Quality Review so that they can pass the ECB mandated stress tests due later this year.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com |
Greece lines up banks for 2bn five-year bond, sources say
Greece is lining up a 2bn five-year bond sale to take place in April via lead banks Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.
The Greek finance ministry has been ... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
PPC to sell bond of at least 300 mln euros, sources say
Greece's state-controlled electricity company PPC will sell at least 300 million euros ($413 million) worth of corporate bonds later this month, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
"All necessary moves have been set in motion,» ... ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Ericsson Worker Outlines Greek Bribe
A former worker for Swedish mobile telecoms maker Ericsson said the company paid 16.6 million to an agent who bribed Greek officials.
The post Ericsson Worker Outlines Greek Bribe appeared first on The National Herald.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com |
Tsochatzopoulos Gets Mansion Sentence
Former Greek defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos was given a 5 1/2-year suspended sentence for failing to disclose a mansion he lived in under the Acropolis.
The post Tsochatzopoulos Gets Mansion Sentence appeared first on The National Herald.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com |
Rights Groups Cites Greek Racism Rise
A group of 30 non-governmental organizations said in a report that racially-motivated attacks jumped last year in Greece .
The post Rights Groups Cites Greek Racism Rise appeared first on The National Herald.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com |
RUSSO: The Greeks and gender
RUSSO: The Greeks and genderUniversity of Virginia The Cavalier DailyGreek life is a central feature of many American colleges, our university included. Roughly 30 percent of students at the University are involved in Greek life. Those who are not Greek are still likely to interact with Greek organizations and attend ...On Our Fear of CommitmentSkidmore NewsFraternities and Sororities Help Students Campaign for Government Positions in ...The Arkanas Travellerall 3 news articles »
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.cavalierdaily.com |
Greek yields hit new lows as debt sale nears
* Greek set to return to market in April - bank sources * ECB expected to keep interest rates steady (Recasts and writes through) LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) - Greek yields hit fresh four-year lows on Thursday after the country lined up a group of banks to manage its first sale of a new bond since the country restructured its debt two years ago. "The chase for risky assets and yield is as high as ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT finance.yahoo.com |
Greek police violate human rights, says Amnesty
Greek police are accused of using excessive force against protesters with impunity, which is deeply rooted in the country’s culture, according to Amnesty International. Nearly 50 people were arrested by December last year, including the leader of the neo ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.worldbulletin.net |
Greek Week directors expect greater student participation
Make changes and watch what happens: This has been the philosophy behind planning efforts for Greek Week 2014. This year’s theme is “Greatest Greeks on Earth,” and the event will carry a circus motif with proceeds being split between the ...
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.florala.net |
Greece gets approval for €8.3bn after meeting troika's conditions
www.worldbulletin.netGreece gets approval for €8.3bn after meeting troika's conditionsEuropean VoiceAn informal meeting of finance ministers from the eurozone on Tuesday (1 April) approved a payment of €8.3 billion as part of Greece's bail-out, after the 'troika' of international lenders had found that the country had met all the conditions for the ...EU Finance Ministers release €8.3 billion to Greecewww.worldbulletin.netall 3 news articles »
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.europeanvoice.com |
Impunity, excessive force and links to extremist Golden Dawn blight Greek police
Amnesty InternationalImpunity, excessive force and links to extremist Golden Dawn blight Greek policeAmnesty International... criminal activities attributed to Golden Dawn members. Now Amnesty International's report, A law unto themselves: A culture of abuse and impunity in the Greek police, exposes the many and persistent human rights violations by law enforcement officials.Greek PM's Top Aide Quits Over Golden Dawn RemarksABC NewsGreek government in turmoil after Golden Dawn video releaseFinancial TimesTop Greek official resigns over secret video 'proving persecution' of Golden DawneuronewsZee News -Reutersall 90 news articles »
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.amnesty.org |
Greek Debt Relief Talks Seen Coming
Long-awaited talks between Greece and its rescue creditors to make the country's debt sustainable could start as early as next month.
The post Greek Debt Relief Talks Seen Coming appeared first on The National Herald.
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com |
Papandreou Says “Baltakos’ Resignation Not Enough”
Former Greek premier George Papandreou said Prime Minister Antonis Samaras can’t settle for the resignation of his top aide who reportedly told
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Tsipras Wants Ministers Out Over Baltakos Affair
Greece ‘s major opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras said Public Order Minister Nikos Dendias and Justice Minister Charalambos Athanasiou
|
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)