This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/apr/05/eurozone-crisis-markets-greece

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Eurozone debt crisis - live! Eurozone debt crisis - live
(40 minutes later)
8.55am: The euro just fell to a two and a half-month low against the pound.
At 82.6p, the euro is at its lowest level against sterling since 16 January. It means one pound is worth €1.2106.
8.36am: The difficult issue of 'austerity suicides' was also raised in the Italian parliament yesterday.
Antonio Di Pietro, the leader of the Italy of Values (IDV) party, claimed that technocratic prime minister Mario Monti's reforms had helped to drive a businessman to kill himself.
Reuters has the details this morning:
The 59-year-old Rome-based construction firm owner left a note apologising to family members and explaining that his business had failed, police said.
Di Pietro....criticised the government's reform agenda in parliament, and said Monti had the suicides of people who can't make it to the end of the month "on his conscience".
Monti refused to comment on the claim last night.
There is some evidence that the economic crisis has led to an increase in people taking their own lives. Last December, statistics released by the Greek ministry of health showed that the number of suicides in the first five months of 2011 had risen by 40%.
8.18am: As we reported last night, Greek people took to the streets of Athens after a 77-year old man shot himself in Syntagma Square.
As the picture shows, the scene was initially peaceful. Many people left flowers and cards at the scene.
But after dark fell, violence did break out -- with riot police using tear gas, and some protestors throwing petrol bombs.
There's more details about the death of the unidentified man, who was described as an "upstanding and decent" father of one, here.
Greek media have named him as Dimitris Christoulas, a retired pharmacist.
8.15am: All is calm in the stock markets this morning. Here's the details:8.15am: All is calm in the stock markets this morning. Here's the details:
FTSE 100: up 0.23%, or 13 points, at 5716
German DAX: up 0.4%
French CAC: up 0.5%
Spanish IBEX:
Italy's FTSE MIB: up 0.1%
FTSE 100: up 0.23%, or 13 points, at 5716
German DAX: up 0.4%
French CAC: up 0.5%
Spanish IBEX:
Italy's FTSE MIB: up 0.1%
It appears that many City workers have clocked off early for the long weekend (the london stock market will close for Good Friday tomorrow, and then not reopen until Tuesday).It appears that many City workers have clocked off early for the long weekend (the london stock market will close for Good Friday tomorrow, and then not reopen until Tuesday).
If my commute is in anyway symbolic of today's market, it is going to be a quiet day #nobodyaroundIf my commute is in anyway symbolic of today's market, it is going to be a quiet day #nobodyaround
— World First (@World_First) April 5, 2012— World First (@World_First) April 5, 2012
8.06am: With the holidays almost upon us, there's not too much on the agenda today. But the economic data should give fresh insights into the European economy (and who knows, governor Mervyn King might pull an Easter bunny out of the hat at noon (but he almost certainly won't)).8.06am: With the holidays almost upon us, there's not too much on the agenda today. But the economic data should give fresh insights into the European economy (and who knows, governor Mervyn King might pull an Easter bunny out of the hat at noon (but he almost certainly won't)).
• UK manufacturing/industrial production for February: 9.30am BST
• German industrial production: 11am BST / noon CET
• Bank of England decision: noon BST
• NIESR issues its estimate for UK GDP in Q1 2012: 3pm BST
• UK manufacturing/industrial production for February: 9.30am BST
• German industrial production: 11am BST / noon CET
• Bank of England decision: noon BST
• NIESR issues its estimate for UK GDP in Q1 2012: 3pm BST
/>
/>In the bond markets, the UK and France
are both selling government debt which could be interesting following Spain's weak auction yesterday.
In the bond markets, the UK and France are both selling government debt – which could be interesting following Spain's weak auction yesterday.
8.00am: Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the eurozone financial crisis.8.00am: Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the eurozone financial crisis.
It's the last full trading day before the Easter break, and traders are hoping to avoid a repeat of yesterday's stock market rout. But Spain's weak debt auction continues to linger over the eurozone as we slide towards the Easter break.It's the last full trading day before the Easter break, and traders are hoping to avoid a repeat of yesterday's stock market rout. But Spain's weak debt auction continues to linger over the eurozone as we slide towards the Easter break.
In Greece, tensions are high after the suicide yesterday of a 77-year old man close to the Athens parliament. Last night's peace gathering in Syntagma Square was followed by clashes between Greek riot police and protesters.In Greece, tensions are high after the suicide yesterday of a 77-year old man close to the Athens parliament. Last night's peace gathering in Syntagma Square was followed by clashes between Greek riot police and protesters.
On the economic front, we have UK and German industrial production data to entertain us, plus the Bank of England's decision on monetary policy.On the economic front, we have UK and German industrial production data to entertain us, plus the Bank of England's decision on monetary policy.