France's odd couple push Europe to re-think growth

PARIS (Reuters) - One is a balding, bespectacled safe-pair-of-hands known for his negotiating skills; the other a firebrand orator of the French left who made his name riling big business, Brussels and Berlin.

Tax burden on wages in rich countries rose again in 2013: OECD

(Reuters) - Taxes on wages rose across industrialized countries last year, as governments sought to reduce budget deficits blown out by efforts to tackle years of economic weakness following the financial crash.

Greece returns to bond markets, says end of bailout nears

LONDON/ATHENS, April 10 (IFR/Reuters) - Two years after nearly crashing out of the euro zone, Greece returned to the bond market on Thursday with investors hungry for high returns scooping up its debt in a 3-billion euro deal that could mark the beginning of the end of its bailout.

Euro-Area Bonds Rise on Fed Minutes as Greece, Ireland Sell Debt

European government bonds advanced after Federal Reserve minutes damped speculation U.S. policy makers are moving toward raising interest rates, and as Greece returned to debt markets for the first time since 2010.

Independent Scotland would face immediate $38.52 billion debt: report

(Reuters) - An independent Scotland would face an immediate debt repayment of 23 billion pounds ($38.52 billion) to the UK Treasury, British media reported, citing a leading economics research body's estimate.