Germany's economy minister rejected demands to involve the ECB directly in efforts to reduce Greece's debt as international pressure is growing on the central bank to accept a haircut on its huge cache of Greek bonds.
As Greek debt-restructuring talks showed more signs of delay, the plodding negotiations have been bad news for Portugal's creditors, who fear they also may be force-fed tough terms.
Regulators in Switzerland and the U.K. stepped up pressure on Swiss and foreign banks, extending a probe into alleged manipulation of interest rates and disclosing possible action against UBS in a trading scandal.
Russian natural-gas supplies to Europe were curtailed for a third straight day Friday as particularly cold winter weather increased Russia's domestic demand.
In a world ravenous for natural resources, two of the world's most powerful raw-materials companies are in talks to combine into an $80 billion colossus that would play a powerful role in an industry that supplies auto makers, chocolatiers and power companies.
Euro-zone private-sector activity returned to modest growth in January, but a fall in consumer spending in the run-up to Christmas added to doubts over the region's longer-term prospects.
As European production of biofuels increases to comply with clean-energy laws, a tough debate has begun in the EU on whether biofuels really are better for the climate than conventional fuels.
A well-known Russian writer has been thrust into a tumultuous struggle over the future of the country and its longtime ruler, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Premier Wen said China is considering deeper involvement in the euro zone's bailout funds, the strongest indication that China may help alleviate Europe's crisis, but he fell short of offering firm commitments.
Spain's new two-year plan to clean up its banks will require them to set aside $65.8 billion to cover losses from souring loans as part of an effort to improve the flow of credit to the economy.
Greece's prime minister has set crucial talks with leaders of the three parties backing his interim government to try to build a solid consensus for further cutbacks and reforms, a condition set by Greece's official lenders for further aid.
Spain's jobless claims shot up 4% in January from December to 4.59 million, a sign that the euro zone's fourth-largest economy is still shedding jobs at a record rate.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin courted the financial community, pledging to fight corruption and curtail bureaucracy?and unveiled a surprise proposal to buy small investors out of a disastrous 2007 IPO of state-owned bank VTB at the offering price.
Shell reported lackluster fourth-quarter results and warned of economic volatility ahead, but its top executives remained bullish about its growth prospects, reiterating their commitment to ambitious spending plans.
Select the Country:
U.S.A. 
Canada
United Kingdom (U.K.)
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
China (P.R.C.)
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
New Zealand
Norway
Pakistan
Russia
South Africa
Sweden
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
Financial Section:
Articles
Anthems
Contact Us
