Gaza economy 'on verge of collapse', with world's highest unemployment

The economy of Gaza – assailed by war, poor governance and a joint Israeli-Egyptian blockade – has reached the “verge of collapse” with the coastal strip suffering the highest rate of unemployment in the world.

Private consumption spike helps Germany avoid recession in third quarter

(Reuters) - A sharp rise in private consumption more than compensated for stubborn weakness in investment, helping the German economy post modest growth in the third quarter and avoid recession, data showed on Tuesday.

France plans to beef up labor reforms

(Reuters) - The French government will press ahead cautiously with controversial labor reforms making it easier to fire staff, as it seeks to fight unemployment by making the job market more flexible, officials said on Tuesday.

Euro zone austerity is mostly over: ECB's Coeure

(Reuters) - Most European countries have already made efforts to consolidate public finances so a discussion on austerity policies in Europe is largely over, the European Central Bank's Executive Board member Benoit Coeure said on Friday.

ECB's Visco says disinflation weighing on high-debt countries

(Reuters) - The euro area may struggle to recover from the economic crisis with entrenched high unemployment and weak investment hitting heavily indebted countries already suffering from disinflation, ECB Governing Council member Ignazio Visco said on Tuesday.

France's economics ills worsen but all remedies appear unpalatable

Emmanuel Macron had been in his new job less than 48 hours when he dropped his bombshell. Picked by François Hollande to be economy minister after a row over austerity prompted a reshuffle, the young investment banker suggested that France could consider an end to its hallowed 35-hour week.

UK to enjoy fastest growth since 2007: British Chambers of Commerce

(Reuters) - Britain's economy looks set to grow at its fastest rate since 2007 this year, but the rapid pace is unlikely to be sustained, the British Chambers of Commerce said on Wednesday after nudging up its growth forecasts for this year and next.

France's Hollande says to speed up reforms, ease tax on poorest

(Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday he would accelerate reforms while at the same time giving tax breaks to poorer households as he tries to win back confidence from voters who do not trust he can lift the country out of stagnation.

Global business leaders push for infrastructure funding overhaul

(Reuters) - International business leaders are lobbying the Group of 20 bloc of advanced and developing countries to tackle a $57 trillion shortfall in global infrastructure, pressing for changes to funding rules they say would help big projects move ahead.

Unemployment Rates Fell In 20 US States In May

WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployment fell in 20 states last month and nearly three-quarters of the states added jobs, as the nation at large posted a fourth straight month of solid hiring.

ECB set for growth-boosting interest rate cut

Expectations are running high that the European Central Bank (ECB) will loosen its monetary policy at its meeting on Thursday.

Consumer Confidence in U.S. Unexpectedly Declined in May

Consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in May from a nine-month high, showing Americans are being shaken by rising grocery bills and elevated fuel costs.

Italy's modest labor reform shows Renzi's momentum faltering

(Reuters) - Italy's chamber of deputies approved modest labor reforms on Thursday after a difficult passage through parliament, underlining the challenges facing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in his pledge to overhaul the economy.

Fed’s Stein: Financial Stability Fits Within Central Bank’s Dual Mandate

The Federal Reserve doesn’t need to expand its focus from its dual mandate to take financial-stability concerns into account, Fed governor Jeremy Stein said Sunday.

Carney’s Policy Autopilot Gives Time for McKinsey Revamp

Mark Carney picked a good time to implement sweeping changes at the Bank of England.

Eurozone approves next Greece bailout payment

Eurozone ministers have signed off the next 8.3bn euro (£6.8bn; $11.4bn) instalment of Greece's bailout.

Spain Reaps Investment Boon as Rajoy Reforms Lure FDI

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s progress in luring investors back to Spain is spreading well beyond the bond market.

Fed vice chair nominee Fischer stresses financial stability

SAN FRANCISCO/ NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stanley Fischer, U.S. President Barack Obama's pick for the No. 2 spot at the Federal Reserve, dove in Wednesday to one of the most important debates at the U.S. central bank, as he called for making financial stability an "explicit" policy focus.

European center-left launches election drive, attacks austerity

(Reuters) - European center-left parties called on Saturday for a change to austerity policies enacted to counter the euro zone crisis as they named Martin Schulz to be their candidate for next head of the European Commission.

Tighter policy a tool to deal with U.S. systemic risk -Fed's Tarullo

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb 25 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve's top regulator waded into the debate over whether monetary policy should be tightened in the face of financial stability risks, saying on Tuesday that such a move cannot be "taken off the table."