* Court jails more than 300 officers * The jailing of hundreds of Turkish army officers including top generals accused of plotting to topple Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan underscored how far he has come in gaining control of the country's once all-powerful military. But Erdogan, 10 years in power, must grapple with suspicions among critics

An overwhelming majority of Greeks believe new austerity measures the government has promised its international lenders in exchange for more financial aid are unfair and hurt the poorest sections of society, a poll showed on Saturday. Near-bankrupt Greece needs the European Union and International Monetary Fund's blessing on measures worth nearly 12 billion euros ($16

The government has managed to shave 893 people off the payroll by August, according to figures on the government labour force. Total employment fell was 51,181 in August, compared with 52,074 in August 2011. The figures exclude semi-government organisations and other public-sector workers, which amount to around 20,000 workers. The biggest absolute decline was in

As GDP recorded its fourth quarter of decline the number of unemployed looking for work climbed by 59% over the year earlier in the second quarter, according to the latest results of the Labour Force Survey, The number of unemployed reached 49,742 and the unemployment rate another new high of 11.3%. This is higher than

Preliminary retail trade data for June suggest that the decline in retail sales moderated in June, with volumes falling by 2.2% compared with the year earlier, after a fall of 3.4 in May and 7.1 in April. Sales of food products continue to outperform, rising by 11.6% year on year in June, with food sales

The price of construction materials eased very slightly in August, falling by 0.3% compared with the previous month. In the period January – August 2012 the price index of construction materials rose by 0.92% compared with the same period last year.

The industrial turnover index reached 128.7 (base 2005=100) in June, recording a decrease of 2.3% compared with June 2011. The manufacturing subindex fell by a much more pronounced 10.2% in the same period. In January-June 2012, industrial turnover fell by 3.0% compared with the same period of the previous year.

Cyprus may consider an exit from the euro zone if international lenders impose harsh austerity measures as a condition for a bailout, the head of the ruling communist party said on Friday. Andros Kyprianou, whose AKEL party is the primary backer of the left-wing government led by President Demetris Christofias, told the online news site 24h.com.cy such