Berlin - German factory orders unexpectedly fell for the third consecutive month in February, data released Friday showed, helping to raise new concerns about the outlook for Europe's biggest econo

Amman - Volatility and speculation are expected to reign at Arab stock markets in the coming couple of weeks, as investors monitor first quarter results and other moving factors, financial analysts said Friday.

"We expect regional markets to remain volatile in the coming few weeks pending the release of first quarter results," Wajdi Makhamreh, Deputy CEO of the Amman-based Sanabel International Brokerage, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

"I believe the improving performance at international markets and the adamantly soaring oil prices will reflect positively on Arab bourses, particularly in the oil-rich Gulf region," he said.

Brussels - The European Union's 27 member states in 2007 spent less money on development aid for the first time since 2000, the European Commission said on Friday.

Berlin - Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has deposed Chancellor Angela Merkel from top of the list of Germany's most popular politicians, according to a survey released Friday.

An opinion poll conducted for German semi-public broadcaster ZDF showed the Social Democrat (SPD) minister with a rating of 1.7, marginally higher than Merkel's 1.6.

Steinmeier is considered a potential challenger to Merkel for the chancellorship in national elections due to take place in September 2009.

He is currently vice chancellor in the grand coalition with Merkel's Christian Democratic Party (CDU).

The survey showed that 39 per cent would vote for the CDU against 28 per cent for the SPD if elections were to be held now.

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