Europe

Asian markets buckled badly on Thursday after the Federal Reserve heralded an eventual end to free money and China turned the screw on credit even as factory activity in the world's second largest economy hit a nine-month low.

Euro zone finance ministers laid out how its bailout fund can invest in troubled banks, but imposed so numerous conditions.

The country's youth unemployment rate reflects the pain caused by the crippling recession after years of austerity under its bailout.

The French, German and Italian governments said Europe must tackle youth unemployment to rescue an entire generation who fear they will not find jobs.

The French, German and Italian governments said Europe must tackle youth unemployment to rescue an entire generation who fear they will not find jobs.

The European Commission said it believed Motorola Mobility was abusing its market position by seeking and enforcing an injunction against Apple in Germany.

The European Commission said the euro zone economy will contract by more than expected this year and budget deficits will decline more slowly.

The European Commission said the country must stick to targets agreed with international lenders if it wants more time to repay bailout loans.

Officials said the debt-laden country is considering putting EU structural funds to earlier use to help its stricken economy but is not asking for a bigger bailout.

A day after Paris urged Berlin to grant it more time to hit the goal, a German official says he is confident France will stick to EU rules on public deficit targets.

A day after Paris urged Berlin to grant it more time to hit the goal, a German official says he is confident France will stick to EU rules on public deficit targets.

Moody's cut down Slovenia's debt rating amid worries about its banking sector, balance sheet and chance it might need a bailout in the latest sign the eurozone debt crisis isn't yet over.

Confidence in the euro zone's economy fell further in April, strengthening the case for a cut in interest rates this week by the European Central Bank.

Many Europeans apparently prefer bloated deficits and threats of default over higher taxes and soaring unemployment wrought by recent austerity measures.

The European Central Bank is closer to lowering interest rates than at any time since it last cut them in July and is likely to shave a quarter-point off.

A sharp drop in German business activity overshadowed an easing downturn in France, raising concerns over a further economic contraction in the euro zone.

A sharp drop in German business activity overshadowed an easing downturn in France, raising concerns over a further economic contraction in the euro zone.

Germany's lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly to grant Cyprus a 10 billion euro bailout that is designed to avert the island from bankruptcy.

The Portuguese government approved around 800 million euros of new spending cuts on to put its EU/IMF bailout back on course.

The European Central Bank held its interest rate at a record low 0.75% as it waits to see whether the economy stabilizes.