Crimea vote will not be recognised

Ukraine's interim prime minister has warned the Crimean parliament "no-one in the civilised world" will recognise its referendum on joining Russia. Arseniy Yatsenyuk and others in the Kiev government have called the vote "unconstitutional" and "illegitimate".

 

But the referendum has the support of the Russian parliament. The speaker of the upper house said if the Crimean people vote on 16 March to join Russia then they would "unquestionably back this choice". The decision by Crimean MPs to seek to join the Russian Federation comes amid international tensions over the presence of pro-Russian troops in the southern Ukrainian peninsula.

 

The Kremlin said, after a telephone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama, that differences remained in their approach and assessment of the crisis.

 

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Paralympic team has confirmed it will take part in the Sochi Winter Paralympics, which begins later.

 

The head of the team, Valeriy Sushkevich, said they would participate "so they remember us, remember Ukraine - a sovereign state, which sent its athletes here". But he said: "If something major happens, Ukraine will leave the Games immediately". (BBC NEWS 2014/3/7)

Interest rates policy of ECB today

The European Central Bank will update its interest rates policy in a few hours. Sarah Hewin, from Standard Chartered, told World Business Report the bank "will probably keep interest rates on hold" at the current 0.25%, as the risk of deflation has decreased. Some observers are worried that the rate will be cut to 0%. (BBC NEWS 2014/3/6)

米海軍艦船が黒海の海域に入る予定

イタル・タス通信は３月５日、ロシア黒海艦隊消息筋の話として、今週末に米海軍艦船が黒海の海域に入る予定だと報じた。事実ならクリミアのセバストポールに司令部を置く黒海艦隊への牽制が目的とみられる。（産経　2014/3/6）

Eurozone business growth accelerates

Business growth in the eurozone accelerated last month to its fastest pace since June 2011, a survey says. The final Markit Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for February was 53.3. This was higher than an earlier, preliminary estimate of 52.7, and above the 50 level that indicates expansion.

 

Markit said the figures indicated the eurozone is set to grow by 0.4-0.5% in the first quarter of 2014, which would be the best growth for three years. Official figures, also released on Wednesday, confirmed that the eurozone grew by 0.3% in the final three months of 2013. Growth was helped by rising exports and improving investment.

 

The PMI survey confirmed the contrasting fortunes of Germany and France. German companies saw strong growth, with the country's composite PMI reading hitting a 33-month high of 56.4. However, activity among French firms continued to decline, with the PMI figure dropping to 47.9.

 

The European Central Bank (ECB) holds its latest meeting on Thursday, and there has been speculation that the bank may take action to avert the threat of deflation in the eurozone. Eurozone inflation was 0.8% in February, well below the ECB's target of 2%. (BBC NEWS 2014/3/5)

 

China sets growth target of 7.5%

China has set its economic growth target for the year at 7.5%, as it looks to continue its efforts to stabilise the economy. The country also set its inflation goal at 3.5%, aimed at keeping prices in check.

 

After years of blistering growth rates, China has seen its rate of expansion slide after a slowdown domestically and in key markets. In 2013, the country grew at a pace of 7.7%, about the same as in 2012.

 

Recent manufacturing data has also indicated a slowdown in activity in the world's second largest economy. (BBC NEWS, 2014/3/5)