Special Report - The deeper agenda behind 'Abenomics'

TOKYO | Fri May 24, 2013 5:19am BST
(Reuters) - When ill health and political gridlock forced Shinzo Abe to quit after one dismal year as Japan's prime minister, his pride was dented and his self-confidence battered.

One thing, however, was intact: his commitment to a controversial conservative agenda centred on rewriting Japan's constitution. Conservatives see the 1947 pacifist charter, never once altered, as embodying a liberal social order imposed by the U.S. Occupation after Japan's defeat in World War Two.
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FTSE 100 modestly higher in cautious pre-holiday trade

German Ifo Business Climate 105.7 104.6 104

Co-op Bank stops lending to new corporate clients

(Reuters) - Co-operative Bank said on Friday it had stopped offering loans to new business customers, in a move designed to quell growing concerns over its capital position.

A spokesman for Britain's biggest customer-owned financial services business said it would continue to provide lending to existing customers. The freeze does not apply to individual retail customers.

"We are not offering new loans to new corporate customers but are continuing to provide facilities for existing customers," he said.

Is the WORLD or the EU finally recovering?>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Recovery signs seen in weaker eurozone nations

European Central Bank (ECB) president, Mario Draghi, has predicted that three of the weaker eurozone economies are showing signs of recovery.

Speaking in London he said that the three, Ireland, Spain and Portugal had made impressive improvements in their export performances.

He also believes that there are encouraging signs of tangible improvements in the UK economy.

FTSE100 firmly lower midday as the banks and miners slide

USD Core Durable Goods Orders m/m 1.3% 0.6% -1.5%

USD Durable Goods Orders m/m 3.3% 1.6% -6.9%

FTSE 100 ends firmly lower as the banks and miners retreat

Have a great weekend all! See you Tuesday... :)

G.