Europe Day

(Nairobi) – The Ethiopian military summarily executed several dozen civilians and committed other war crimes on January 29, 2024, in the town of Merawi in Ethiopia’s northwestern Amhara region, Human Rights Watch said today. The incident was among the deadliest for civilians during the fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and Fano militia since the outbreak of fighting in Amhara in August 2023. The United Nations and African Union should consider suspending new deployments of Ethiopian federal forces into international peacekeeping operations until commanders responsible for grave abuses are held accountable. “The Ethiopian armed forces’ brutal killings of civilians in Amhara undercut government claims that it’s trying to bring law and order to the region,” said Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director…

LONDON (Reuters) – The dollar rose for a fifth straight session on Wednesday, while stock and bond markets trod water as traders braced for what could be a crucial Federal Reserve meeting later in the day. Japan’s yen was at a 4-month low after the BOJ finally ditched sub-zero rates, but the focus was on whether the Fed signals that it now expects to cut U.S. rates twice this year rather than the three that markets have been hoping for. The greenback was standing almost 0.5% higher on the day in Europe, where the pound dipped after soft UK inflation data and luxury goods stocks tumbled after a hefty profit warning from Gucci maker Kering. [.EU] Bond markets were awaiting…

LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) – The dollar rose for a fifth straight session on Wednesday, while stock and bond markets trod water as traders braced for what could be a crucial Federal Reserve meeting later in the day. Japan’s yen was at a 4-month low after the BOJ finally ditched sub-zero rates, but the focus was on whether the Fed signals that it now expects to cut U.S. rates twice this year rather than the three that markets have been hoping for. The greenback was standing almost 0.5% higher on the day in Europe, where the pound dipped after soft UK inflation data and luxury goods stocks tumbled after a hefty profit warning from Gucci maker Kering (PRTP.PA), opens new…

LONDON (Reuters) – The dollar rose for a fifth straight session on Wednesday, while stock and bond markets trod water as traders braced for what could be a crucial Federal Reserve meeting later in the day. Japan’s yen was at a four-month low a day after the Bank of Japan finally ditched its sub-zero rates, but the focus was already on whether the Fed signals two U.S. rate cuts are now likely this year rather than the three markets have been hoping for. Its quandary is whether progress on inflation has stalled and, if so, whether U.S. rates – which drive the global cost of borrowing – need to stay in the current 5.00%-5.25% range longer than anyone – investors,…

LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) – Stock markets took a breather on Monday from their record highs of recent sessions as investors looked to an abbreviated trading week, capped by key U.S. inflation data on Friday, due to the impending Easter holiday. U.S. stock index futures , , were slightly weaker. Market participants are hoping that Friday’s U.S. prices data will back investor bets for a June interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Boeing Co was a focus on Wall Street after the planemaker said its CEO Dave Calhoun would step down by year-end amid a sprawling safety crisis. Oil benchmark Brent hovered close to $86 a barrel as hostilities intensified in the Middle East, and between Russia and Ukraine,…

LONDON (Reuters) -Stock markets took a breather on Monday from their record highs of recent sessions as investors looked to an abbreviated trading week, capped by key U.S. inflation data on Friday, due to the impending Easter holiday. U.S. stock index futures were slightly weaker. Market participants are hoping that Friday’s U.S. prices data will back investor bets for a June interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Boeing Co was a focus on Wall Street after the planemaker said its CEO Dave Calhoun would step down by year-end amid a sprawling safety crisis. Oil benchmark Brent hovered close to $86 a barrel as hostilities intensified in the Middle East, and between Russia and Ukraine, with energy infrastructure targeted in…

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) – Euro zone government bond yields fell slightly on Tuesday, after rising the previous day, as investors waited for the first readings of March inflation data from the bloc later in the week and for U.S. price figures on Friday. Germany’s 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for the euro zone, was last down 3 basis points (bp) at 2.346%, after climbing 5 bps on Monday. Yields move inversely to prices. Euro zone yields have fallen over the last week as central banks have talked more warmly about rate cuts, and after the Swiss National Bank lowered borrowing costs. Yet they remain higher for the year, as economies and inflation have been somewhat slower to cool than…

LONDON, April 2, 2024 (BSS/AFP) – Europe’s main stock markets climbed at the opening bell on Tuesday as traders returned to action after the Easter holiday. London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index of leading blue-chip companies added 0.5 percent to 7,991.96 points, compared with Thursday’s closing level. In the eurozone, the Paris CAC 40 index won 0.2 percent to 8,225.29 points and Frankfurt’s DAX gained 0.3 percent to stand at 18,540.47. All three main markets were closed on Friday and Monday for the long Easter weekend. Hong Kong led most Asian indices higher Tuesday as Asian traders also returned from an extended weekend break to forecast-beating Chinese factory data that lifted hopes for the world’s number-two economy.

London: Gold prices nailed another historic peak Tuesday over the growing prospect of interest rate cuts later this year, while European equity markets wobbled as traders returned following the long Easter holiday weekend. The haven precious metal advanced as high as $2,266.85 per ounce in morning London deals to extend its blistering record-breaking run, driven also by geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Middle East. Oil extended Monday’s gains as traders fretted also over supplies and Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) – Euro zone bond yields fell slightly on Wednesday, after rising sharply the previous day, as investors waited for March inflation data for the bloc. ** Germany’s 10-year bond yield, the euro zone benchmark, was last down 3 basis points (bps) at 2.382%. Yields move inversely to prices. ** The yield rose 12 bps on Tuesday, catching up after a holiday with a sharp rise in U.S. yields on Monday, which was driven by stronger-than-expected survey data. ** Data due at 0900 GMT (1100 CEST) is expected to show inflation held steady at 2.6% year-on-year in March, although some economists think Tuesday’s soft regional price data means the figure could come in lower. ** Germany’s two-year…

LONDON (AP) – Drink it or bin it: That phrase should have become history this summer at all U.K. airports. But it’s set to persist for at least another year after the British government said it will grant extensions to several large U.K. airports unable to meet the June 1 deadline to fully install new scanning technology. The airports include London´s two biggest, Heathrow and Gatwick. The new scanners use computed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, to produce clearer images. They are being rolled out globally, including in the U.S. and across Europe, and will allow passengers to go through security with two liters (70 ounces) of liquid in their hand luggage – rather than the current paltry…

London, Apr 5 (AP) Drink it or bin it: That phrase should have become history this summer at all UK airports. But it’s set to persist for at least another year after the British government said it will grant extensions to several large UK airports unable to meet the June 1 deadline to fully install new scanning technology. The airports include London’s two biggest, Heathrow and Gatwick. Also Read | Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, April 5, 2024. The new scanners use computed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, to produce clearer images. They are being rolled out globally, including in the US and across Europe, and will allow passengers to go through security with 2 litres (70…

LONDON, April 5 (Reuters) – Global shares retreated on Friday as geopolitical tension kept crude oil above $90 a barrel ahead of U.S. payroll numbers, and hawkish central bankers raised doubts about the pace and timing of interest rate cuts. The threat of supply disruptions from prolonged conflict in the Middle East kept Brent oil futures above $90 a barrel, a level not seen since last October, with prices heading for their second weekly gain. The dollar firmed against peer currencies after rebounding from a two-week low, while gold’s rally to record highs on Thursday came to a halt ahead of the U.S. payroll numbers. The MSCI All Country stock index was down 0.3% at 770.7 points as it continues…

LONDON, April 5 (Reuters) – Global shares eased on Friday as investors played safe ahead of key U.S. jobs numbers before the opening bell on Wall Street as geopolitical tension kept crude oil above $90 a barrel. Shares were off their lows in Europe as U.S. stock index futures,, traded higher, recovering some ground after the three key U.S. indexes fell more than 1% each on Thursday on hawkish Fed comments and Middle East tension. U.S. non-farm payroll numbers for March are due at 1230 GMT, before the opening bell on Wall Street, with economists expecting a rise of 200,000, compared with 275,000 in February, while the unemployment rate is likely to keep steady at 3.9%. “We think a print…

LONDON, April 5 (Reuters) – Global shares eased on Friday as investors played safe ahead of key U.S. jobs numbers before the opening bell on Wall Street as geopolitical tension kept crude oil above $90 a barrel. Shares were off their lows in Europe as U.S. stock index futures,, traded higher, recovering some ground after the three key U.S. indexes fell more than 1% each on Thursday on hawkish Fed comments and Middle East tension. U.S. non-farm payroll numbers for March are due at 1230 GMT, before the opening bell on Wall Street, with economists expecting a rise of 200,000, compared with 275,000 in February, while the unemployment rate is likely to keep steady at 3.9%. “We think a print…

LONDON (Reuters) -The dollar and bond yields rose on Friday after much stronger than expected growth in March U.S. payrolls sent investors scurrying to review their bets on when the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. The U.S. Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls increased by 303,000 in March, far ahead of a forecast rise of 200,000 from economists polled by Reuters, potentially delaying rate cuts. U.S. Treasury yields rose on the prospect that the Fed would be in no rush to cut rates, while U.S. interest rate futures pared back the odds of cut in June to 54.4%. Hopes of the Fed beginning a cycle of rate cuts in June have helped to propel shares to record highs. “It…

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) -Stocks on Wall Street rallied as the dollar and bond yields rose on Friday, after another blowout U.S. jobs report suggested the Federal Reserve may delay cutting interest rates as it awaits further data on whether inflation continues to moderate. U.S. employers hired far more workers than expected in March and raised wages at a steady clip, the Labor Department said in a labor market report for March that showed the U.S. economy outshining its global peers. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 303,000 jobs, the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% from 3.9% the prior month and the economy added 22,000 more jobs than previously estimated in January and February. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 200,000 job gains…

Edinburgh’s small (mostly independent) shops are the best place to buy souvenirs or gifts. You can pick up a ready-to-wear kilt, peruse heaving delicatessens and pungent cheesemongers for picnic supplies, or taste test unusual shortbread flavours (lemon and poppy seed, perhaps?) for family and friends back home. Below we cover the best shopping in Edinburgh, while for further trip planning inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants and cafes, pubs and bars, nightlife, things to do, things to do for free, plus how to spend a weekend in Edinburgh. Enter Hawico to find stacks of cashmere sweaters and scarves in a rainbow of desirable colours. There are 49 shades to choose from, but if you cannot find…

NEW YORK/LONDON/TOKYO, March 27 (Reuters) – Global shares advanced cautiously on Wednesday, led by an early rally in Japanese stocks as the yen sagged to its weakest since 1990, prompting intervention fears, while benchmark U.S. Treasury yields fell after a strong 7-year note auction. Trading was subdued with the dollar stuck in a narrow range below its overnight high against the yen as markets marked time ahead of Friday’s much-anticipated U.S. inflation report, that few will be around to digest at the start of the long Easter weekend in the United States and many other countries. The yen, which has lost more than 7% in value against the dollar this year already, weakened as far as 151.975 to the dollar,…

WASHINGTON – The US is warning allies that China has stepped up its support for Russia, including by providing geospatial intelligence, to help Moscow in its war against Ukraine. Amid signs of continued military integration between the two nations, China has provided Russia with satellite imagery for military purposes, as well as microelectronics and machine tools for tanks, according to people familiar with the matter. China’s support also includes optics, propellants to be used in missiles and increased space cooperation, one of the people said. Spokespeople for the White House National Security Council declined to comment. China’s foreign ministry didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment during a holiday weekend. Beijing has sought to portray itself as mostly neutral…