From MARKETS 8:58am

China becomes world’s top oil importer

PetroChina ©Reuters

Shale revolution reduces US need to import crude

From UK ECONOMY 11:56am

Construction index hits three-year low

Sharp drops in commercial building and civil engineering activity

From WORLD 5:06am

Kuroda vows to take swift action at BoJ

Abe’s choice as governor attacks central bank’s deflation record

From WORLD 6:59pm

Boehner sees reform as way to budget deal

No resolution at hand to end $85bn sequestration

From MARKETS 6:23pm

Argentina given hope in debt battle

Buenos Aires ordered to reveal details of offer to holdout creditors

From WORLD 4:15pm

Obama taps EPA veteran to lead agency

Move signals priority of global warming on environmental agenda

From WORLD 6:44pm

Swiss vote for corporate pay curbs

Referendum result even broader than EU bonus caps

EU ECONOMY Mar 3, 2013

Doubts cast on Icelandic crisis model

Policy makers say myth surrounds way collapse was handled

MARCH 5 DATA

Country Data Estimate Actual
Australia Overnight rate 3%
Eurozone Composite PMI 47.3
Retail trade, MoM -0.9%
US ISM non-manufacturing 53.5

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