International Monetary Fund Stories
Greece's Bailout Deadline Looms, as Clock Continues to Tick
Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos faces the critical task of convincing international lenders and political-party leaders on Sunday to agree to the stringent terms of a 130 billion euro ($171 billion) rescue plan to stave off looming default.
Clock ticks on Greece's bailout deadline
Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos faces a critical task of convincing international lenders and political party leaders on Sunday to agree to the stringent terms of a 130 billion euro ($171 billion) rescue plan to stave off looming default.
Euro zone loses patience with Greece
Euro zone finance ministers told Greece on Saturday it could not go ahead with an agreed deal to restructure privately-held debt until it guaranteed it would implement reforms needed to secure a second financing package from the euro zone and the IMF.
Eurozone loses patience with Greece
Euro zone finance ministers told Greece on Saturday it could not go ahead with an agreed deal to restructure privately-held debt until it guaranteed it would implement reforms needed to secure a second financing package from the euro zone and the IMF.
Turkey Wants KPop, Katy Perry: Turkish Citizens Clamor for Both American and Asian Superstars on Twitter, but Korean Culture May Have More Appeal
On Feb. 4, Turkish tweeters flooded the site with declarations of love for Korean Pop (KPop) music and the words Turkey Wants KPop, while all-American pop star Katy Perry received a significantly slower trickle of tweets from her Turkish fans.
Disagreements on Cyber Risk East-West 'Cold War'
With worries growing over computer hacking, data theft and the risk of digital attacks destroying essential systems, western states and their allies are co-operating closer than ever on cyber security.
Greece struggles on for deal on unpopular reforms
Greece's government on Saturday struggled on in talks with lenders to secure a 130 billion euro ($171 bilion) bailout before turning to the trickier task of persuading political leaders to back the unpopular reforms involved in the rescue.
Hungary Seeks EU/IMF Credit Line of 15 Billion to 20 Billion Euros: Official
Hungary is seeking an international credit line of 15 billion to 20 billion euros ($20 billion to $26.3 billion), the secretary of state heading the prime minister's office, Mihaly Varga, was quoted on Saturday as saying.
Anonymous hackers access Greek ministry website
Hackers associated with the activist group Anonymous posted a protest against Greece's EU and IMF-inspired austerity policies on the website of the country's justice ministry Friday, a ministry spokeswoman said.
Eurozone Aims to Agree on Second Greek Bailout by Feb. 6
Eurozone finance ministers aim to agree a second financing package for Greece on Monday, a decision they hope will boost market confidence in euro zone public finances and help contain the two-year-old sovereign debt crisis.
Greek PM seeks to force pledges of more austerity
Greece's prime minister faces the daunting task of rallying reluctant political leaders behind unpopular wage and pension cuts demanded by lenders as the price for bailout money that is essential to avert a chaotic default.
Gold Prices Edge Higher Amid Upbeat Economic Signs
Gold prices Thursday extended last month's rally after positive manufacturing from China to the Europe to the U.S. and Greece appeared close to a settlement with its creditors.
Greek PM Seeks Reform Backing, IMF Warns on Fiscal Pain
Greece's prime minister is seeking backing from the country's political leaders for more austerity measures, with the International Monetary Fund warning that long-term commitment to reforms is key to securing a new bailout.
IMF's Thomsen says must be limit to Greek fiscal pain
Debt-laden Greece and its international lenders must focus less on deficit reduction and more on reform because there are limits to what society can tolerate, a senior IMF official said on Wednesday.
IMF's Thomsen says Greece must step up reform
Debt-laden and recession-hit Greece must accelerate structural reforms and slow down on deficit reduction, the head of the IMF's inspection team for Greece was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
IMF Plays Down Risk of China 'Hard Landing'
A senior International Monetary Fund official said on Monday that China was taking steps to reduce property bubble risks and said it has room to add fiscal stimulus if conditions worsen.
IMF plays down risk of China hard landing
A senior International Monetary Fund official said on Monday that China was taking steps to reduce property bubble risks and said it has room to add fiscal stimulus if conditions worsen.
EU States Back Germany's Fiscal Discipline Pact
Chancellor Angela Merkel cemented her political ascendancy in Europe Monday when 25 out of 27 EU states agreed to a German-inspired pact for stricter budget discipline, even as they struggled to rekindle growth from the ashes of austerity.
S&P Warns G20 Nations of Downgrade over Health Costs
Ratings agency Standard & Poor's warned Monday that it may downgrade "a number of highly rated" Group of 20 countries in 2015 if their governments fail to enact reforms to curb rising health-care spending and other costs related to aging populations.
Bond Markets Pushing Portugal Back Toward the Brink
Portugal's slide towards becoming the next Greece - needing a second bailout to avoid bankruptcy - accelerated on Monday as untrusting underwriters hiked the cost of insuring Lisbon's bonds to new highs and insisted it be paid up front.
EU Leaders to Agree on Permanent Bailout Fund
EU leaders will sign off on a permanent rescue fund for the euro zone at a summit on Monday and are expected to agree on a balanced budget rule in national legislation, with unresolved problems in Greece casting a shadow on the discussions.
Replacement of Worn-Out Equipment Rises in Sign of Recovery
Delivery trucks wear out, computers break down, software becomes outdated -- and finally businesses have to start investing in new equipment. Companies that want to remain competitive have to start spending again as an economy slowly recovers.
Germany Demands Greece Give up Control of its Budget
Greece must surrender control of its budget policy to outside institutions if it cannot implement reforms attached to euro zone rescue measures, the German economy minister was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Merkel deflects pressure to boost euro bailout funds
Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to deflect growing international pressure on Germany to agree an increase in the euro zone's bailout funds Sunday by saying talks were still continuing.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel Deflects Pressure to Boost Eurozone Bailout Funds
Chancellor Angela Merkel attempts to deflect growing international pressure on Germany to agree an increase in the Eurozone's bailout funds Sunday by saying talks were continuing.
Greece, Creditors on Verge of Clinching Debt Deal
Greece and its private creditors said on Saturday they were piecing together the final elements of a debt swap, and they expected to have a deal ready next week, which would be essential for sealing a new bailout and avoiding an uncontrolled default.
IMF leads global push for euro zone to boost firewall
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde led a global push on Saturday for the euro zone to boost its financial firewall, saying if it is big enough it will not get used.
Greece, creditors laboriously piece together debt deal
Greece and its private creditors head back to the negotiating table on Saturday to put together the final pieces of a long-awaited debt swap agreement needed to avert an unruly default.
Eurozone Making Progress, but it Needs a Stronger Firewall: IMF's Lagarde
Europeans are making progress in overcoming the Eurozone crisis, but they need to do more to bolster their financial firewall, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on Saturday, adding that the IMF is ready to help.
Exclusive: Greek PM expects debt swap deal in days
Greece expects to conclude difficult debt talks with private creditors within days and negotiations with the EU and the IMF on a new bailout deal by the middle of next week, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos told Reuters on Friday.