Monti Says Overhauling Italy’s Firing Rules Can’t Be ‘Taboo’

Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Italy’s rigid firing rules can hurt economic growth and changing them to make it easier for companies to shed workers can’t be “taboo,” Prime Minister Mario Monti said.

Euro-Zone Banks To Tighten Credit Conditions Further In 1Q

FRANKFURT -- Euro-zone banks expect to tighten credit conditions further in the first quarter on top of a surge in tightening already in the fourth quarter of last year as a result of the deepening sovereign debt crisis, while they see their wholesale funding conditions easing somewhat due to the European Central Bank's non-standard measures, the ECB said Wednesday.

Euro jobs crisis puts Germany at core of growth debate

LONDON (Reuters) - The euro zone creaked under the weight of record unemployment at the end of 2011 while jobless rates in Germany fell to historic lows, putting the onus firmly on Europe's top economy to take the lead in steering the struggling region back to recovery.

Eurozone leaders sign up to budget controls

European leaders agreed on a permanent rescue fund for the eurozone, and 25 out of 27 EU states backed a fiscal pact for stricter budget discipline in the eurozone, while a deal on Greek debt is expected in "days".

Greece and the euro

THE banners at the entrance to the Bank of Greece museum in Athens promise a “fascinating journey through Greece’s modern economic and monetary history”.