German slump, stagnant France paint dismal euro zone picture

(Reuters) - Germany's economy shrank in the second quarter and France again failed to conjure up any growth, snuffing out any signs of a recovery in the euro zone which is now also weighed down by tit-for-tat sanctions with Russia.

French lawmaker says 'unavoidable' to scrap deficit target : Les Echos

(Reuters) - The head of France's ruling Socialist party told Les Echos newspaper on Wednesday that it was "unavoidable" that France would abandon an EU target to cut its public deficit to 3 percent of GDP next year.

Bank of England edges closer to interest rate rise

The Bank of England signalled it is edging closer to a rise in interest rates but admitted it is in the dark about the true state of the British economy.

German Economy Backbone Bending From Lost Russia Sales

MWL Apparate Bau GmbH, based in the eastern German town of Grimma, has relied on strong ties with Russia to bolster business.

Europe's fragile economy put to test as Ukraine, Iraq sour mood

(Reuters) - Investors will gauge the strength of the euro zone's fragile economy this week as escalating conflicts in Ukraine and Iraq darken the mood globally.