UNREST IN EGYPT AND SUEZ CANAL COULD HAVE MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT

Defense analysts agree that the Egyptian uprising against Hosni Mubarak does not yet threaten the Suez Canal, which remains essential to U.S. energy security. While Egypt is not among the region's oil producing nations, if the Mubarak regime is replaced by a strongly anti-American regime, access to the Suez Canal could hypothetically be restricted to tanker ships en route to energy markets in the United States. This would redirect American-bound oil tankers to a perilous 6-8 week trek around the Horn of Africa.

Euro, stocks fall as anti-austerity party wins Greek election

(Reuters) - The euro skidded to near an 11-year low and U.S. stock futures fell on Monday as Greece's Syriza party promised to roll back austerity measures after sweeping to victory in a snap election, putting Athens on a collision course with international lenders.

Russia details bank recapitalization scheme

(Reuters) - Russian banks with at least 25 billion roubles in capital and willing to increase lending to key sectors of the economy will be able to participate in a 1 trillion rouble ($15.65 billion) recapitalization plan, Russia announced on Friday.

ECB quantitative easing would not solve Greek liquidity problems: Greek finmin

ATHENS (Reuters) - Any European Central Bank quantitative easing program would help Greece's economy but would not be enough to solve its liquidity problems, Greek Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis said on Tuesday.

Hedge funds, speculators face big losses on Swiss franc rally

(Reuters) - Currency speculators and global macro hedge funds with large short positions in the Swiss franc are staring massive losses in the face after the Swiss National Bank shocked markets on Thursday by removing a three-year-old cap on the currency.

ECB's Mario Draghi says risk of deflation higher than a year ago: Report

Jan 14 (Reuters) - There is a higher risk of deflation in the euro zone now than a year ago, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi told German weekly Die Zeit in an interview.

Hollande shifts position on Tobin tax, money for environment

French President Francois Hollande shifted position Monday on implementing a long-sought financial transactions tax in Europe and said the money should go towards projects aimed at mitigating climate change.

UK services sector growth slows in December

Britain’s services sector slowed at the end of 2014, fanning fears that the economy is losing momentum.