1.   A group of independent economists issued a cloudy forecast Tuesday for Ukraine, casting doubts on government predictions that this year will bring long-awaited economic growth.

2.   Last Tuesday, Turkish shares hit their lowest level this year amid fears that the economy would grow more slowly than government predictions while inflation remains stubbornly high.

3.   Turkish shares hit their lowest level this year on Tuesday, amid fears that the economy would grow more slowly than government predictions while inflation remains stubbornly high.

4.   But economists and politicians have poured cold water on the rosy government predictions.

5.   Chancellor Helmut Kohl acknowledged on Wednesday that, contrary to previous government predictions, he now expects no significant improvement in the German labour market this year.