Eurozone

Budget Battles

  • Sense of dread as German SPD eyes new Merkel coalition

    Sense of dread as German SPD eyes new Merkel coalition

    By Stephen Brown, Reuters

    LEIPZIG, Germany (Reuters) - If you want to know how rank-and-file Social Democrats (SPD) regard the prospect of another 'grand coalition' government under Chancellor Angela Merkel, look for the red...

  • Germany challenges use of euro zone cash to repair banks

    Germany challenges use of euro zone cash to repair banks

    By John O'Donnell and Michelle Martin, Reuters

    BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Germany challenged a central plank of plans to forge a banking union in the euro zone on Thursday, arguing against the use of the currency bloc's funds to help lenders exposed as...

  • Putin calls Assad to discuss Syrian peace moves

    Putin calls Assad to discuss Syrian peace moves

    By Steve Gutterman, Reuters

    MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the conflict in Syria with President Bashar al-Assad by phone in their first talks in more than two years, praising his readiness to send...

  • Insight: Revival of Islamists in Mali tests French, U.N. nerve

    Insight: Revival of Islamists in Mali tests French, U.N. nerve

    By David Lewis and Laurent Prieur, Reuters

    DAKAR/NOUAKCHOTT (Reuters) - Nine months after they were scattered across the Sahara by waves of French air strikes, Islamists in Mali are making a comeback - naming new leaders, attacking U.N...

  • NATO builds $1 billion HQ as allies cut military spending

    NATO builds $1 billion HQ as allies cut military spending

    By Adrian Croft, Reuters

    BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO is building a new, state-of-the-art headquarters in Brussels, but critics say the $1 billion project seems extravagant at a time when austerity is forcing many alliance...