Spain marks two years of contraction in second quarter

MADRID: Spain's two-year economic slump showed signs of coming to an end in the second quarter, data showed on Tuesday, but weak domestic demand and looming fresh austerity measures mean a sustained recovery may still be far off.

Euro break-up risk falls by two thirds since Draghi pledge, survey finds

BERLIN (Reuters) - The number of investors who think a country will leave the euro zone soon has dropped by two thirds in the year since the head of the bloc's central bank promised to safeguard the currency, a survey published on Monday showed.

Germany's Schaeuble set to stay center stage in euro crisis

(Reuters) - Two years ago, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was on the point of giving up his role as iron fist in the euro zone debt crisis, but the 70-year-old champion of closer European integration now seems likely to remain on Europe's center stage.

Signs point finally to end of Europe recession

FRANKFURT: After a year and a half of recession, Europe's battered economy could finally be showing signs of life. It's not the kind of recovery that calls for a big celebration.

Euro Zone Edges Toward Stabilization

LONDON--An indicator that has correctly recorded contractions in the euro-zone economy suggests the currency area is edging closer to stabilization after a recession that began in late 2011.

German Business Confidence Rises for a Third Month

German business confidence rose for a third month in July, indicating that Europe’s largest economy is recovering as the 17-nation euro region tries to shake off its longest-ever recession.

French unemployment hits new record as economy struggles

PARIS: The number of jobseekers in France rose to a new record of 3.28 million in June, the labour ministry said Wednesday, as the country's economy struggles to gain a footing.

EU public debt rockets

The debt to GDP ratio in the eurozone has reached a new record of 92.2% as high unemployment, tumbling trade flows and a prolonged recession in the single currency bloc take their toll.

Unemployment set to rise further in euro zone's hardest hit: Polls

LONDON: The queues of jobless people across Spain, Portugal and Greece will lengthen further but an end to recession is within sight, according to the latest Reuters poll on some of the euro zone's most vulnerable economies.

Britain's economy better off inside EU: government study

(Reuters) - The economic benefits of Britain's European Union membership outweigh the loss of independence on policy, the government said on Monday in a review that will underpin Prime Minister David Cameron's plan to renegotiate EU ties and hold a referendum.

Rival accuses Germany's Merkel of deceit over euro zone bailouts

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's main opposition leader Peer Steinbrueck accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of covering up the likelihood that German taxpayers will have to fund further euro zone bailouts due to a looming election.

Debt crisis: What lies ahead for the Eurozone this summer?

Latvia is standing tall this summer after receiving the go-ahead to join the Eurozone in January 2014. It has met all economic criteria and will become the zone's 18th member.

Merkel's Stealth Plan to Keep Euro Crisis From Exploding Again

Angela Merkel has a dilemma. Europe’s debt crisis is heating up again. But Germany will hold elections on Sept. 22, and Merkel’s popularity rests on voters’ belief that her leadership has helped bring the crisis under control.

Celebrating the Elderly With a Nervous Eye on Italy’s Future

PERDASDEFOGU, Italy — On a recent Sunday afternoon, hundreds of villagers gathered in this tiny Sardinian town for a Mass to celebrate the 100th birthday of Claudina Melis, one of its esteemed citizens.

U.S.'s Lew to visit Greece, discuss its reforms

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew will visit Greece on Sunday to discuss the euro zone country's economic reforms and Europe's policies to support recovery, the Treasury said on Wednesday.

Euro-Zone Exports Slump in May

LONDON--Exports from the 17 countries that share the euro slumped in May, as did imports, an indication that the currency area's longest postwar contraction may have continued into a seventh straight quarter.

France's Hollande says economic recovery has begun

PARIS: President Francois Hollande said on Sunday that recovery had started in France's struggling economy, which entered arecession this year and has record-high unemployment.

Portugal's PM says committed to reaching cross-party deal

(Reuters) - The opposition Socialists demanded a renegotiation of Portugal's bailout terms on Friday, raising a hurdle to a cross-party pact the president says is needed to end the euro zone country's dependence on international funding next year.

Germany, France split over EU banks plan

(Reuters) - Germany and France were split on Friday over European Union plans for a new agency to wind down troubled banks, with Berlin saying they go too far in centralizing control in Brussels.

Euro zone output down in May as recovery remains fragile

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone factory output fell in May for the first time in four months, data showed on Friday, suggesting a fragile and uneven recovery in the bloc that is struggling with record joblessness and renewed political tensions in southern Europe.

Draghi’s Time Horizon for Rates Seen to Exceed a Year: Economy

For Mario Draghi, “an extended period of time” lasts longer than a year, according to economists surveyed after the European Central Bank president used the phrase in a pledge to keep interest rates low.

German economy struggles as exports and output tumble

(Reuters) - German exports fell the most since late 2009 in May and industrial output tumbled, suggesting Europe's largest economy is struggling to regain traction, although a rise in imports pointed to robust domestic demand.

Bank of France raises second-quarter growth forecast

PARIS: France's central bank raised its forecast for economic growth in the second quarter on July 8, predicting that the second-largest economy in the euro zone shook off a shallow recession with an increase of 0.2 per cent in gross domestic product.

Greece, Troika Optimistic on Reaching Deal Before Meeting

Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said the government probably will reach a deal with international creditors before today’s Eurogroup meeting to keep bailout funds flowing to the country.

Spanish, Italian Bonds Gain as ECB Signals Prolonged Low Rates

Spanish and Italian bonds advanced for a second week after the European Central Bank signaled it will keep interest rates low for longer, boosting demand for higher-yielding euro-area assets.

ECB leaves key rate unchanged

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- European Central Bank head Mario Draghi is reassuring markets that the bank is nowhere near ending its stimulus measures for the weak eurozone economy.

Debt crisis shrinks international use of euro

FRANKFURT, GERMANY: International use of the euro slipped last year because of the debt crisis in Europe, but the US dollar held its own as the world's leading currency for reserves held by central banks.

Euro-Area Inflation Accelerates to 1.6% Amid Recession

Euro-area inflation accelerated for a second month in June and manufacturing output contracted less than estimated, adding to signs that the 17-nation currency bloc is starting to emerge from a record-long recession.

Trucks pile up at border of new EU member Croatia

(Reuters) - A day after Croatia joined the European Union, a glitch in its EU-standard customs software caused huge delays at the border with Serbia, the bloc's new external frontier.

Euro zone joblessness at record high, inflation up

(Reuters) - Euro zone unemployment is at a record high and consumer prices are being driven upward by volatile energy and food prices, data showed on Monday, underlining the fragility of the bloc's economic health.