Germany to cut Greece slack after vote backs bailout

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany may cut Greece some slack after its voters backed a pro-bailout party in weekend elections, with officials saying Athens might get more time to meet its savings goals, though longer-term economic reforms were still set in stone.

No let-up for Spain, Italy pain from Greek vote

MILAN/MADRID: Any hopes Italy and Spain may have had that the Greek election result would ease pressure on their own debt crises were dashed early on Monday when financial markets reacted as if nothing had changed.

Greek exit would be 'catastrophe', says former Greek PM

A Greek exit from the euro would be a "major catastrophe", former Greek PM George Papandreou has told the BBC.

EU crisis: Mario Monti raises spectre of crisis amid protests

MILAN/ROME: Italy is again flirting with economic disaster, Prime Minister Mario Monti said, as huge crowds massed in Rome in protest at his austerity measures a day ahead of an election in Greece that threatens to destabilise the whole euro zone.

In Euro Crisis, Obama Tries to Build on a Rapport With Merkel

WASHINGTON — At the end of a summit meeting at Camp David last month, as the other world leaders were heading for their helicopters, President Obama did what has become a habit during his years in the White House: he made time for an informal but deadly serious talk with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.