Europe to call on Japan, U.S. to consolidate public finances

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The European Union will urge the United States and Japan on Friday to consolidate public finances over the medium term to remove what it believes is one of the main risks to the global economy now.

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.

UK at risk of longer slump as euro crisis hits factories

British manufacturing output barely grew at all in April as an economic slowdown in the euro zone curbed demand for goods made in Britain, a survey showed on Tuesday, raising the risk of a longer recession.

Mafia now "Italy's No.1 bank" as crisis bites: report

ROME (Reuters) - Organized crime has tightened its grip on the Italian economy during the economic crisis, making the Mafia the country's biggest "bank" and squeezing the life out of thousands of small firms, according to a report on Tuesday.