Economic uncertainty growing massively: ECB's Nowotny

(Reuters) - Economic uncertainty in Europe is rising "massively" as growth prospects worsen, especially for debt-strapped southern euro zone members, European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said.

Swiss economic outlook still bright -KOF sentiment index

ZURICH: Prospects for the Swiss economy remain healthy, a leading indicator showed on Wednesday, as the central bank's cap on the safe-haven franc underpinned the country's export sector.

Spain's economy contracts again as recession deepens

Spain's economy contracted further in the second quarter of the year as the country remained mired in recession, official figures show.

Unilever sees 'return to poverty' in Europe

Unilever will adopt marketing strategies used in developing countries in order to drive future growth in Europe, as the head of its European business warned that poverty will rise in the region as a result of the debt crisis.

France's Hollande Backs Greece But Urges Credible Reform

(CNN) -- French President Francois Hollande restated his country's support for debt-stricken Greece Saturday, but stressed that it must live up to its reform commitments.

In Euro Crisis, Fingers Can Point in All Directions

FRANKFURT — The debate about how to distribute the cost of preserving the euro often centers on a fundamental question that is unspoken but implicit: Who caused this crisis anyway?

German finance ministry studying "Grexit" costs: paper

BERLIN (Reuters) - A working group led by Germany's deputy finance minister is studying the possible economic impact of a Greek exit from the euro zone, a newspaper reported on Friday, as Chancellor Angela Merkel prepared for talks with Greece's prime minister.

Debt crisis: eurozone headed for recession as economic rot spreads

The eurozone looks destined for its second recession in three years, as business surveys showed the economic rot is even spreading to Germany, the region's largest and strongest economy.

Eurozone crisis: Greek PM Antonis Samaras seeks 'breathing space', starting EU talks

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras started a European charm offensive on Wednesday with an appeal to Germans for more time to meet Athens' borrowing obligations, but he may struggle to make his case in a series of meetings this week with EU leaders.

Germany puts pressure on Greece PM over bailout targets

Greece must stick to its agreed bailout conditions, Germany says, at the start of a week in which Greece is expected to ask for more time to make cuts.

French finance minister sees economy growing in 2013: report

PARIS (Reuters) - France economy has the potential to rebound in 2013 and there are no plans to lower growth forecasts for next year, Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said in an interview to be published on Sunday by weekly newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

Finland prepares for break-up of eurozone

The Nordic state is battening down the hatches for a full-blown currency crisis as tensions in the eurozone mount and has said it will not tolerate further bail-out creep or fiscal union by stealth.

Euro zone heading into another recession

(Reuters) - The euro zone will slip into recession and won't grow until 2013, according to the latest Reuters poll of economists who also don't expect any new aggressive policy response from the European Central Bank.

UK retail sales post surprise rise in July

British retailers reported an unexpected rise in sales in July, and much higher sales than previously thought in June, data showed on Thursday, boosting hopes that the UK's recession may not be as deep as feared.

Greece to ask for 2-yr extension of austerity-plan, Germany says no

ATHENS: Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will call for a two-year extension to Greece's austerity programme when he meets Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande next week, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Economic Crisis Now an Olympic One

The economic crisis hitting Europe's most troubled nations hasn't spared their Olympic performance.

Euro Falls Amid Concern Crisis Worsening, Global Growth Slowing

The euro declined versus the dollar for the first time in three weeks as signs of slowing global economic growth added to concern Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis is worsening, damping appetite for riskier assets.

Eurozone debt crisis: Clouds gather over Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy as EU bailout nears

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faces a cloudy return from his short summer break as his expected request for European aid in September will spur protests on the street and deepen cracks emerging in his conservative People's Party.

Greek jobless rate hits new record, more pain ahead

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's jobless rate climbed to a new record in May, underlining how austerity prescribed to slash deficits and keep bailout funds flowing is hitting the economy on which recovery depends.

Once-resilient Germany catches Europe's crisis fever

FRANKFURT: Germany long appeared immune to Europe's debt crisis, as deep reforms undertaken years ago helped steel the economic powerhouse against the current financial storms lashing its neighbours.

Halifax expects house prices to stagnate after fall in July

House prices fell in July following two months of increases but are expected to remain largely flat for the rest of the year, the Halifax said in its latest housing market survey.

Monti Calls for More Crisis-Fighting Urgency in ECB Standoff

Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Monti warned of a potential breakup of Europe without greater urgency in efforts to lower government borrowing costs, as a standoff over European Central Bank help for Italy and Spain hardened.

The Euro Crisis: When Will It End?

The eurozone crisis is over two years old now. It’s no longer crawling. This baby is walking and has a mind all her own. And my, what an ugly little critter this kid is, isn’t she?

Spain 2-Year Yield Drops Most in 2012 on ECB Buying Speculation

Spanish two-year notes rose this week, pushing down yields the most since December on speculation the European Central Bank will buy shorter-maturity government securities to help quell turmoil in the region’s debt markets.

IMF demands eurozone intervenes to contain debt crisis

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last night called for a "policy game changer" in the eurozone to arrest the spread of the debt crisis it says is engulfing the entire currency bloc and its smaller neighbours.

Euro drops versus dollar after ECB Draghi's comments

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The euro fell against the dollar in volatile trade on Thursday after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi disappointed investors hoping for quick action to contain the euro zone debt crisis.

US raises pressure for decisive action on euro zone crisis

FRANKFURT/BERLIN: The United States raised pressure on euro zone leaders to take decisive action to solve the region's debt crisis, notably by lowering troubled members' borrowing costs, on the eve of a crucial European Central Bank meeting.

Euro crisis: Monti upbeat, but unemployment rises

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti has said he sees "light at the end of the tunnel" on the eurozone debt crisis. Mr Monti met French President Francois Hollande in Paris after which the two renewed their support for the euro.