Europe lives on the percentage .

ECB has kept interest rates at 1%. Unsustainable economic growth, the probability of default "peripheral" euro-zone economy, high unemployment can not abandon the policy of "cheap money". The first is to dare the U.S. government, but not before the summer of 2010, experts say. European Central Bank (ECB) has kept the base interest rate at the same level - 1% per annum. This is the minimum value of the rate in the history of a single regulator in 1999. "Based on an analysis of the situation in the economy and monetary policy, the ECB decided to leave rates unchanged. The current level of rates is adequate to the situation in the economy ", - said the head of the bank, Jean-Claude Trichet at a press conference following the ECB meeting. Thus, European authorities are reluctant to abandon support for the economy and continued soft monetary policy - because the data on the economic state of Europe are contradictory. "Some indicators are disappointing, others are above expectations. The ECB will continue to characterize the situation as uncertain "- quoted The New York Times's chief German economist at Commerzbank Jorg Kremer. According to Fortis Bank economist Nick Kounisa, the ECB makes it clear that they would maintain "a policy of adaptation for a long period," writes Reuters. "We will continue to see the struggle between the two factors - the restoration of the economy and banking system, which is still very bad", -, chief economist of the French AXA Group, Eric Shan. Now in Europe, the highest base rate among major economies. Thus, the U.S. Federal Reserve keeps rates at record low levels in 0-0,25% per annum, the Bank of England - 0,5% per annum, the Bank of Japan - 0.1% per annum. Despite the fact that in the autumn of last year's leading central banks have expressed the need to minimize steps to support the economy, before the real action is still far. "On raising rates as soon as there was no question", - said Director of Sales of investment banking products Nomos Bank Bretislav Tihanek. Euro-zone economy feels worse than the U.S., especially since the EU faced with the probability of sovereign defaults on its individual representatives " - Notes the chief of analytical department of the IR Arbat Capital Sergei Fundobny. At the end of last year were downgraded sovereign credit ratings on Greece, Spain, Portugal, Iceland. In a critical situation are banks in Eastern Europe. "The weak capital positions of banks in Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and the Baltic states", - stated in the report of analysts Capital Economics. "They should begin to" exit strategy "(drawdown of measures to support the economy -" Gazeta.Ru ") with caution. The last thing expected from the ECB - is that he will break early recovery. Because then it will be too difficult to return the moment. ECB knows it "- cites Bloomberg's chief economist for the euro area in the London office of BNP Paribas Ken Uatretta. In the euro zone as inflation is at levels substantially below the ECB's target level of 2%. "Increased activity in the region did not become self-sustaining, consumers continue to cut costs, and unemployment reached 10%. According to most forecasts, these trends are far from complete, which will ultimately suppress inflation, eliminating the need for central banks to raise rates ", - adds a financial analyst FxPro Alexander Kuptsikevich. Increasing rates of the ECB would strengthen the already expensive euro. "Essentially rising euro constrains opportunities to expand exports and increase in interest rates in such a situation would only worsen the problem" - warns Director of the Department of Treasury and financial markets, Bank Intesa Sergei Pchelintsev. According to a survey conducted by Bloomberg, the European regulator will keep rates at current levels until at least autumn. Increase to 1.5% per annum occur in the fourth quarter, and up to 1,75% - in early 2011. Bank of England will raise rates to 1% per annum by the end of the year. The first is, according to experts, will decide on the rate increase American power: the Federal Reserve, according to the consensus forecast, will raise rates in the third quarter - up to 0,75%, and by March 2011 - up to 1,25%. More rapid than in the EU, raising rates in the United States may be due to higher inflationary expectations in the United States and with more rapid recovery of the U.S. economy, says Pchelintsev. However, according to the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Charles Evans, Federal Reserve rate will not change until June 2010: "We will wait until the situation in the economy does not improve, but is itself an improvement will not become sustainable. Until a change in our policy is extremely unlikely. Growth rates of inflation currently remains below the level, which involves "price stability", which also supports the policy of "adaptation". So far, according to the "Beige Book" (Economic Survey, based on reports from regional Federal Reserve banks), in the American economy suffered a "moderate improvement": over the past eighteen months the economic situation has improved in 10 out of 12 districts. "Consumer behavior in different terms, is characterized as a careful, sensitive to the level of prices, consumers are focused on buying necessities, but sometimes willing to spend an unplanned", - noted in the review. The reduction in purchasing power due to high unemployment, which remains one of the main problems in the American economy. Now it is 10% of the economically active population. "Unemployment has fallen in 2010, only a little", - predicts Evans, adding that a "headwind" in the way of economic recovery this year weakened. According to the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Eric Rosengren, the unemployment rate will remain "fairly high".

The robbers stole from collectors in France, 8 million euros .

Armed robbers attacked a van collectors in the area of the city Aubagne in southern France, stealing some 8 million euros, reports the agency France Press. Around 09.45 local time, a group of 10-12 people attacked the van company Sazias, which was directed to the Department of Banque de France in Toulon. The bandits were five cars, two of which are: trucks and SUVs - they burned. Van collectors raiders "opened" with explosives - witnesses heard two explosions. The attackers disarmed collectors and got to the contents of the van. At the crime scene the police arrived, shots were exchanged, but the raiders still managed to escape. Police start search of criminals, which results have not yet returned. Only managed to find two burned-out car belonging to the attackers: they were thrown in a couple of dozen miles from the crime scene. Robbery without casualties - only one of the three collectors was slightly concussion.

The British edition of GQ recognized Gordon Brown "the most gaudy dressed" man of bygone years,

According to the British edition of the magazine GQ "most tastelessly dressed man of 2009" declared Prime Minister Gordon Brown. "Brown - a typical example of British style", - experts believe the publication. The second style was bezvkusnosti actor Russell Brand, and the third - French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Named most stylish actor Robert Pattinson, reports BBC.

Georgian Airways performed 3 charter flights to Moscow from 8-10 January

TBILISI, January 4 Georgian airline Airzena - Georgian Airways will perform three direct charter flights to Moscow from 8-10 January, said the spokesperson of the airline Nino Giorgobiani on Monday at a briefing. RF Transport Ministry has given permission to the Georgian Airlines January 8-10 to fly on the route Tbilisi - Moscow - Tbilisi, and 9 and 10 January - on the route Tbilisi - St. Petersburg - Tbilisi. Question execution of flights in the direction of St. Petersburg has not yet been resolved. "The flights in the direction of Moscow written 8, 9 and 10 January. Resolution of this we have received on December 31 at 10 o'clock," - said Giorgobiani. Moreover, the airline hopes that "in the near future between the aeronautical authorities of Russia and Georgia held talks on the restoration of regular flights." According to her, Airzena suggests that the direct charter flights will be implemented as 16, 20 and 24 January.