EU Parliament head Martin Schulz warns of tough talks on banking union

BRUSSELS: European Parliament head Martin Schulz warned Thursday that EU leaders face "very long negotiations" with lawmakers over a new bank regulatory system which many of them believe falls well short of what it should be.

France on edge of return to recession, increasing pressure on Hollande

François Hollande's beleaguered socialist government was under increased pressure to boost the eurozone's second largest economy after a collapse in manufacturing orders tonight left it on the cusp of another recession.

Euro-Area Factory Output Expands Faster Than Forecast: Economy

Euro-area factory output grew at a faster pace than economists forecast in December, led by Germany, as the currency bloc continued its gradual recovery from a record-long recession.

Euro zone to share costs of bank closures gradually: Proposal

BRUSSELS: The cost of closing down a euro zone bank will initially be borne almost fully by its home country, but the obligations of euro zone partners will gradually rise to be shared equitably after 10 years, under the terms of an EU proposal seen by Reuters on Saturday.

In landmark for EU, Ireland leaves its bailout behind

DUBLIN, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Three years after going cap in hand to international lenders to avert bankruptcy, Ireland has officially ended its bailout in a landmark for the euro zone's efforts to resolve its debt crisis.