Euro Area’s Four Biggest Economies Are All Growing

Mario Draghi could be forgiven for lingering a little longer on the sun lounger this August. For the first summer since he took office as president of the European Central Bank, the region’s four biggest economies are posting growth, spurred by a weaker euro and lower oil prices that are boosting consumer spending.

Greek political unrest and deepening debt crisis fuel talk of snap election

The worsening Greek debt crisis has reanimated talk within the ruling Syriza party of a snap general election if discussions with creditors fail, as the country faces a Thursday deadline to repay a €450m (£330m) loan to the International Monetary Fund.

Greece probes officials in Swiss tax scandal: Source

ATHENS: The Greek prosecution service has questioned two finance ministry officials close to former socialist finance minister George Papaconstantinou, who is caught up in a tax scandal shaking Greek politics, judicial sources said on Friday.

Euro zone rescue after marathon talks

Europe’s leaders have finally agreed a euro zone rescue plan after marathon talks lasting more than eight hours.

Greece aid package boosts stock markets

Shares have risen following the eurozone's agreement designed to resolve the Greek debt crisis.

UK and French markets gained more than 1% in morning trading, before slipping slightly, with the FTSE 100 index ending up 0.6% and the Cac 0.7% higher.

Eurozone leaders agreed a new package worth 109bn euros ($155bn, £96.3bn).

Iceland's Euro Bid Hinges On Greek Crisis Outcome, Central Banker Says

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France -(Dow Jones)- Policymakers in Reykjavik are closely watching the unfolding of the Greek debt crisis, for its outcome will be a key element of Iceland's decision to join the euro, the head of the country's central bank, Sedlabanki said, as he urged the currency bloc to improve its economic governance.

"The outcome of the Greek crisis will affect the attractiveness of being a member of the euro area," Mar Gudmundsson told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview here late Friday. "A monetary union needs much more economic integration, some elements of common economic and fiscal policy and a common financial stability framework. One needs to match an economic union with the monetary union for it to work," he added.

Deposits may shield Aussie banks from Greek debt crisis fallout

The Greek debt crisis is increasing the cost of funding for Australia's Big Four banks, but credit market experts say rising deposit rates are counteracting the threat.

As the sovereign debt crisis in Europe continues to drag on with a 12 billion Euro tranche of Greek bailout money delayed until next month at the earliest, the heads of Australian banks have voiced concerns.

Sarkozy urges European partners to reach compromise fast on euro crisis

PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday called on other European Union leaders to stop quarreling about how to help struggling Greece and instead display the unity that has underpinned the euro currency since its creation over a decade ago.

“What we need most today, is unity,” Sarkozy said. “We have to leave the national fights behind us to find our sense of common destiny again.”