Germany: no more chances for Greece

From thelocal.de:

 

Economy Minister Philipp Rösler said he was disappointed with the efforts of debt-wracked Greece to implement reforms, while a senior conservative said Germany would block further aid if the country did not fall in line. 

 

“I’ve lost my illusions,” Rösler told Focus magazine. He is also vice chancellor and leads the pro-business Free Democrats in the ruling coalition.

“I proposed with German businesses a whole series of support measures for the Greek government. The [...]

South Korea announces $7.4B of fiscal stimulus measures, but officials make clear they’re keeping plenty of powder dry in case of further deterioration in Europe.

“We now perceive the eurozone crisis as a long-term threat to the South Korean economy,” says the finance minister. “We need to store up enough fiscal measures to endure this long journey.”

via Bloomberg:

South Korea indicated that it’s preserving fiscal firepower for worsening economic conditions after Europe’s debt crisis triggered a cut to the nation’s growth forecast.

The government’s 8.5 trillion won ($7.4 billion) of economic support measures announced yesterday, including assistance [...]

A frightening glimpse of what life could be like under Obamacare

From Azizonomics:

… A majority of doctors support measures to deny treatment to smokers and the obese, according to a survey that has sparked a row over the NHS’ growing use of “lifestyle rationing.”
 
Some 54% of doctors who took part said the NHS should have the right to withhold non-emergency treatment from patients who do not lose weight or stop smoking. Some medics believe unhealthy behavior can make procedures less likely [...]

ECB Tells Belgium Not To Backstop Dexia Interbank Deposits, Says Bailout Plan May Be Against The Euro Charter

by ZH

If anyone is surprised that things in Europe will get massively surreal before this is all over, we suggest finding another thread. In the meantime, for the latest example of the utter chaos and “make it up as we go along” we go to the ECB which has just, in very polite terms, warned Belgium that its bailout-cum-nationalization plan may not be quite feasible. [...]

Italy, Spain Ratings Cut by FITCH; Belgium Is Put Under Review by MOODY’S

Fitch Ratings downgraded Italy and Spain on concern they will struggle to improve their finances as Europe’s debt crisis intensifies, while Moody’s Investors Service put Belgium on review for a possible cut.

Spain had its foreign and local currency long-term issuer default ratings cut to AA- from AA+, while Italy had the same set of ratings lowered to A+ from AA-, Fitch said in statements yesterday. The outlook for both countries [...]

Saudi’s $36 billion bid to beat unrest…

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia announced financial support measures, worth an estimated SR135bn ($36bn), in a bid to avert the kind of popular unrest that has toppled leaders across the region and is now closing in on Libya’s Muammer Gaddafi.

The measures include a 15 per cent salary rise for public employees to offset inflation, reprieves for imprisoned debtors, and financial aid for students and the [...]

Are we headed for “the depression of 2011″?

Well, let’s hear what some of the top financial experts in the world have to say.

#1) Economist Nouriel Roubini:

“We are still in the middle of this crisis and there is more trouble ahead of us, even if there is a recovery. During the great depression the economy contracted between 1929 and 1933, there was the beginning of a recovery, but then a second recession from 1937 to 1939. If you [...]