Greece hit by new downgrade, EU ponders more help

LONDON: Two major credit agencies have signaled their concern about Greece's massive debt, lending new credence to the view that European authorities must do more to help the country a year after it barely avoided bankruptcy with a bailout.

Experts from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund were in Greece on Monday to check up on economic reforms the government promised to make in return for 110 billion ($160 billion) in rescue loans last year. They were also examining whether the current bailout is enough so Athens can stand on its own feet again when the loans run out in 2013 - a scenario most investors think is unlikely.