WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING March 23, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES POKER PROVES TOUGH GAMBLE FOR 888 888 Holdings took a near 30 per cent hit on poker revenues last year, but the online gambling operator said it was confident of tapping into its well of social players and predicted a return to poker growth in the second half of 2010. Poker was the [...]
REGULATION WILL EXCITE THE MARKETS March 22, 2010 POLITICAL issues look like dominating markets this week. This started on Sunday when President Obama’s healthcare reform was passed narrowly by the House of Representatives. In France, Nicolas Sarkozy has seen his party battered in regional elections and tomorrow we have the last budget before the UK election. Finally, there is the European summit, which [...]
US and EU in a battle over hedge funds March 11, 2010 THE bitter war of words between the US and Europe over hedge fund regulation reached new heights yesterday. The EU reacted furiously to criticism of its plans to clamp down on hedge funds. US treasury secretary Tim Geithner had complained tough new rules passed down from Brussels could alienate US hedge funds trading in Europe. [...]
Europe set to wage war on speculators March 7, 2010 THE EUROZONE is preparing a crackdown on London-based market speculators that “abuse” credit default swaps, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said yesterday after talks with the French president. Speaking after a meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, Papandreou said that France, Germany and Eurogroup chairman Jean-Claude Juncker would unveil new measures to tackle speculators within the [...]
SARKOZY TO SHORE UP FRENCH INDUSTRY March 4, 2010 FRANCE will play a more active role in managing its state shareholdings, President Nicolas Sarkozy said yesterday, unveiling policies aimed at halting the decline of French industry. Sarkozy also said he would earmark millions of euros to encourage firms to innovate with green investment and bring jobs back to France as part of a plan [...]
Greece could seek IMF aid March 3, 2010 GREEK Prime Minister George Papandreou warned yesterday he would turn to the International Monetary Fund for support should the EU not provide the financial assistance he wants. The threat came in the wake of fresh spending cuts – the country’s toughest in decades. The newest line of measures are expected to raise €4.8bn (£4.3bn) after [...]
Barnier set for key talks on his first London visit February 28, 2010 MICHEL Barnier will make his first trip to London this week as the newly appointed European Commissioner for the internal market and financial services in an attempt to reassure the City that he is a friend of “Anglo-Saxon” capitalism. The Commissioner’s appointment spooked the City back in December as the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, used [...]
EU markets chief Barnier set for pacifying UK visit February 22, 2010 EUROPE’S internal markets commissioner Michel Barnier is set to woo politicians and business leaders in London next week in his first UK visit since he was appointed in November. Top of the agenda for Barnier, one of the most powerful men in Brussels, will be the raft of new EU regulation that many claim will [...]
EU seals deal to rescue Greece February 11, 2010 A NUMBER of euro zone officials have sealed a deal to help Greece in its debt crisis, European Union President Herman Van Rompuy has said. The agreement came after a summit between Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet and [...]
Greek workers strike as talks on debt crisis begin February 10, 2010 Thousands of Greek civil servants staged a 24-hour strike shutting schools and grounding flights yesterday, but a protest march was poorly attended, offering some hope Athens can tackle a debt crisis shaking the eurozone. Today’s meeting among the EU’s 27 leaders, economic advisers, the central bank chief and other senior EU officials is expected to [...]