BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Euro zone inflation eased further than expected to its lowest level in more than a year in May, giving the European Central Bank a little more room to lower interest rates amid fears of deep recession across the continent.

Many economists expect at least one 0.25 percentage point cut in coming months. Eleven respondents out of 73 in the latest survey thought a rate cut would come at a June 7 meeting.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Euro zone economic sentiment fell by more than expected in May to its lowest level in nearly three years, strengthening the view that the single currency bloc’s economy will contract in the second quarter.

The European Commission’s economic sentiment index slipped by 2.3 points in the 17-nation euro zone to 90.6, lower than the 92.0 point average forecast in a Reuters poll of 33 economists.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Greece should not be lulled into believing an exit from the euro would lead to the sort of short shock and sharp rebound that Argentina and Asian nations experienced when they devalued their currencies more than a decade ago.

The experience of other countries suggests that Greece too could benefit after the turmoil from euro zone expulsion subsides. But the hard data suggests, and economists believe, it would be too weak alone to lift itself out of trouble.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Greece should not be lulled into believing an exit from the euro would lead to the sort of short shock and sharp rebound that Argentina and Asian nations experienced when they devalued their currencies more than a decade ago.

The experience of other countries suggests that Greece too could benefit after the turmoil from euro zone expulsion subsides. But the hard data suggests, and economists believe, it would be too weak alone to lift itself out of trouble.

BRUSSELS, May 13 (Reuters) – Belgium manager Georges Leekens
stunned his employers on Sunday by quitting to take up the
vacant coaching position at Club Bruges.

Leekens, who has signed a three-season contract, will cease
his involvement with the national side immediately.

BRUSSELS, May 11 (Reuters) – Shares in satellite operator
Eutelsat fell to a two-year low on Friday after the
company cut its outlook due to a series of problems, while rival
SES kept its guidance as demand for
beamed-down TV broadcasts held up.

Eutelsat shares dropped as much as 14.6 percent to 22.535
euros, making them the second-weakest in the FTSEurofirst 300
index of leading stocks. SES shares were 2 percent
lower, with the STOXX 600 European media index off 0.6
percent.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – ArcelorMittal (ISPA.AS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the world’s largest steelmaker, forecast higher profit in the second quarter after improving U.S. sales in the first three months offset anaemic European operations to push earnings ahead of expectations.

The Luxembourg-based company said demand grew in North America in the automotive, construction and earth-moving equipment and white goods sectors.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – In a matter of milliseconds Usain Bolt’s aura of invincibility was shattered, not by a rival sprinter but by two sharp cracks of the starter’s pistol.

Bolt’s disqualification from the world 100 metres final last year not only cast a shadow over the championships in Daegu, but put the sport’s draconian false start rule firmly in the firing line.

STOCKHOLM, May 8 (Reuters) – In a matter of milliseconds
Usain Bolt’s aura of invincibility was shattered, not by a rival
sprinter but by two sharp cracks of the starter’s pistol.

Bolt’s disqualification from the world 100 metres final last
year not only cast a shadow over the championships in Daegu, but
put the sport’s draconian false start rule firmly in the firing
line.

LUXEMBOURG, May 8 (Reuters) – ArcelorMittal’s
planned steel plant investments in India are likely to be
stalled for years, the company’s chief executive said on
Tuesday.

“We continue to experience difficulties in India. My belief
is that the Indian projects may not see the light for five to 10
years,” Lakshmi Mittal told the company’s annual shareholder
meeting.