UK tax policy dictated by companies not ministers says leading treasury expert

The UK’s tax policy is effectively dictated by companies and not ministers, according to a leading barrister and adviser to the treasury on its recent “Google tax”.

Some say back to the drachma for a Greek reboot

LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Mainstream economic thinking may hold that Greece should stay in the euro zone, but there are those who argue that abandoning the single currency will give the cash-strapped and debt-laden country just the boost it needs.

Israel Shekel World’s Worst Currency After Central Bank Buys

The shekel depreciated the most among a basket of global peers, after the Bank of Israel intervened to beat back the currency’s best three-day rally since March.

Central banks will continue to lift prices for years to come

Even after the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, central banks will continue to play an outsize role in bolstering equity and bond market returns, said Russ Koesterich, global chief investment strategist at BlackRock.

Qatar Vast Gas Reserves 'To Last 138 Years': Report

Doha (AFP) - Qatar's gas reserves are so vast it can maintain production at current rates for another 138 years, according to an official report published on Sunday.

Ukraine offers creditors 'last chance' to reach deal over debt

Ukraine has offered an updated debt restructuring proposal to creditors, its finance minister says, warning that Kiev would halt debt payments if bondholders did not make use of this last chance to clinch a deal in coming talks.

China’s $100 Billion E Fund Plans Offices in New York, London

E Fund Management Co. plans to open offices in New York and London as it seeks to build its brand and promote products overseas.

Bank of America Starts Countdown Clock on Interest Rate Hikes

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- At times, it seems like speculation on interest-rate hikes have been going on almost as long as the Fed's near-zero interest rate policy.

UK inflation rate turns positive

Transport costs helped the UK's inflation rate turn positive in May after one month of negative inflation. Inflation, as measured by Consumer Prices Index (CPI), rose to 0.1% in May, up from -0.1% in April.

Will Saudi Arabia's stock market attract foreign investors?

For the first time, foreigners can now buy and sell shares in listed companies on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange. It's the last of the grouping of the world's largest economies, the G20, to open up its market to foreigners.

UK construction falls in April but new building rises

Output in the construction industry fell 0.8% in April compared to the previous month, official figures show.

S Korea cuts interest rates to record low amid Mers concerns

South Korea's central bank has cut interest rates to a record low, amid a deadly outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers).

Greek leader seeks party backing as EU warns on cash deal hopes

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called on his fractious Syriza party to rally behind the government on Tuesday as time runs critically short to unlock funding from international lenders and avert a debt default.

Carney Holds U.K. Bankers to Account in Conduct Overhau

Mark Carney and George Osborne are making it personal. Seven years after the U.K. bailed out some of its biggest lenders, the Bank of England governor and chancellor of the Exchequer have turned their focus to the behavior of individuals.

G7 leaders urge tough line on Russia at start of summit

Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) industrial nations backed a tough line toward Moscow at the start of a summit in the Bavarian Alps, with U.S. President Barack Obama urging the gathering to stand up to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Mideast, Ukraine Crises Likely in G7 Lens

LONDON— Leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized countries convene their annual summit this weekend in Germany, where they are expected to discuss current crises, such as the wars in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya, and long-term issues like climate change and the economy.

Osborne is misleading over cuts needed to balance books, says IFS

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that the government has given a misleading impression of the size of the cuts required for George Osborne to meet his pledge to balance the books over the next three years.

Australia's economy grows faster than expected

Australia's economy grew at a better-than-expected 0.9% in the first quarter of 2015, compared to the previous quarter, boosted by mining together with financial and insurance services.

BOJ's Kuroda says FX should reflect fundamentals

TOKYO, June 2 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Tuesday it was important for currency rates to reflect economic fundamentals, and reiterated that central bank policy is aimed at fostering price stability and not to weaken the yen.

Greece may need to default on debts as IMF deadline looms, warns Goldman

Greece may have to default on its debts and impose curbs on bank withdrawals before reaching a deal with its creditors, according to Goldman Sachs, as a crucial payment deadline approaches.