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Telegraph
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The Independent
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This is Money

Silvio Berlusconi's return to power in Italy is a nightmare come true for the European Central Bank, opening the way for a Rome-Paris axis with the political muscle to force a change in monetary policy.
Berlusconi plans Paris-Rome axis to humble European Central Bank

Gordon Brown said he "welcomed" proposals made by the banks to help ease the credit crunch at yesterday's breakfast summit and confirmed that the Government remains in contact with the Bank of England to find a way through the crisis.
Bank of England urged to take new measures to ease crisis

The pound tumbled yesterday after inflation came in below expectations, bolstering speculation that the Bank of England will soon cut interest rates further.
Sterling falls as inflation stays steady

Almost 600,000 people will be unable to refinance their debts this year after finding their usual lines of credit cut off, forcing them to go bust or sign expensive bankruptcy-lite agreements.
Debt Britain: 600,000 face bankruptcy

Mortgage lenders are continuing to raise their rates as fears grow of massive job losses in the City and on the high street.
Unemployment looms large as crunch bites deep

Rocketing food and energy prices shunted US wholesale prices up sharply by 1.1pc last month. Energy prices surged 2.9pc in March, compared with a 0.8pc rise in February.
Food and oil cost America dearly

The American housing market is continuing to decline and could suffer a record number of defaults in the second half of the year after bank repossessions more than doubled in March.
US housing market faces record number of defaults

Oil prices have continued to hit new peaks amid worries about supply setbacks and the weakness of the dollar. The price of North Sea Brent crude rose $1.73 to $111.57 a barrel after touching $111.85 while US crude jumped $1.8 to $113.56 before the close of trading in New York.
Worries fuel oil prices to new highs

Excitement about the potential of Brazil as a massive new source of oil and gas intensified yesterday after a senior energy ministry official declared that the newly found Carioca field could have 33bn barrels in place.
Surprise discovery off coast of Brazil may confound the oil and gas doom-mongers


HM Revenue & Customs has been accused of "double standards" after the disclosure that its 83,000 staff do not have to submit receipts to cover claims ranging from meals to hotel accommodation and travel and are entitled to expenses without forking out any money.
HMRC is accused of double standards over staff expenses

NIKKEI 225	AUSTRALIA ASX200	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

US Video: Stock Market Technical Analysis 4/15/08

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Hang Seng ended the morning up 175.16 points at 24,076.49,
while the Nikkei was recently up 188.98 points at 13,179.56.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, was 24. cents
lower at $113.55.

Happy trading!

G.

OUTLOOK Legal & General Q1 worldwide sales seen down 16 pctThomson Financial Europe AM at a glance share guide: Shares rise, oil mixed

TFN UK calendar and forecasts for today

The Wednesday Press Roundup

London shares outlook - Firmer after New York, Asia gains; miners a likely focus

BROKERWATCH Tesco cut to 'neutral' vs 'buy' at Merrill Lynch; price target upThomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

BROKERWATCH William Morrison upped to 'buy' vs 'hold' at Deutsche BankSTOCKWATCH BG, Galp, Repsol, oils services group under pressure on Brazil doubts

BROKERWATCH Aquarius Platinum cut to 'neutral' from 'buy' by UBS

Tokyo shares close higher on Intel outlook, weaker yen

*HOME RETAIL SAYS PLANNED NET STORE INCREASE NOW 21 VS 22 AFTER OFT FOCUS RULINGUK smallcap opening - Newfound runs back as interim chief exec stands downUK smallcap opening - TripleArc climbs on bid talks

BROKERWATCH Elan Corp upped to 'buy' from 'neutral' at Goldman SachsUK smallcap opening - Charteris up on swing to H1 profits

Australian shares close higher led by resources sector, banksUK smallcap opening - Lansdowne Oil up on licence award

STOCKWATCH Experian top FTSE 100 riser as H2 sales growth pleasesLondon shares open firmer after New York gains; strength among miners

BROKERWATCH AstraZeneca upped to 'hold' at ING; target price up to 2,200 penceSTOCKWATCH Legal & General shares lower as it warns of tougher marketsUK smallcap opening - Antisoma lifted by positive As1411 blood cancer data

Tokyo shares close higher on upbeat Intel outlook, weaker yen - UPDATE

Australian shares close higher led by resources, banks - UPDATE

STOCKWATCH SABMiller shares lower after in-line update; Merrill stays 'neutral'