ECB braces for QE as others shift rates

By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Greek funding and quantitative easing in Europe, an expected rate cut in Australia and the buoyant U.S. labor market are set to be the focus of an economic week dominated by a host of central bank meetings. The European Central Bank's Governing Council convenes in Cyprus on Thursday and may take a decision on whether to accept Greek government bonds as collateral for its direct ECB funding, which it stopped doing at the start of February. If the ECB does not - and it most likely will not - it could be forced to prolong the provision of Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) to the Greek central bank. "The Greek question will be a hot topic," said ING Chief Eurozone Economist Peter Vanden Houte.

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Acer's new Windows Phone is unlikely to blow you away

For some time now, consumers have pretty much been stuck choosing between Lumias for their Windows Phone fix. Acer is aiming to change that with the launch of its catchily named "Liquid M220" ...



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Acer wants to sell you a touchscreen fitness tracker for less than $90

This is Acer's latest play for your wrist, the Liquid Leap+. It takes the form of a fairly basic fitness tracker that also pulls notifications from your smartphone. Aesthetically it's a continuation of ...



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TV drama, plaudits: a cocktail of success for Japan whisky

Whisky demand is rocketing in Japan, with producers scrambling to increase production as a period drama about the dram has the country hooked and after a homegrown single malt scooped the honours in a world taste test.

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No injuries as small fire erupts by Disneyland attraction

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Officials say a small fire erupted late Saturday night near a Disneyland attraction, but it was put out by park firefighters and no one was hurt.



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U.S. economy slowed in fourth quarter, but growth outlook still favorable

U.S. economic growth braked more sharply than initially thought in the fourth quarter amid a moderate increase in business inventories and a wider trade deficit, but strong domestic demand brightened the outlook. Gross domestic product expanded at a 2.2 percent annual pace, revised down from the 2.6 percent pace estimated last month, the Commerce Department said on Friday. The economy grew at a 5 percent rate in the third quarter. Businesses accumulated $88.4 billion worth of inventory in the fourth quarter, far less than the $113.1 billion the government had estimated last month.

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IKEA to sell furniture that can wirelessly charge your phone

You'll be able to drop a compatible smartphone on your IKEA nightstand for a quick charge.>

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