Why is banker Sarrazin such a headache for Germany?

By Dave Graham, Reuters German central banker Thilo Sarrazin has divided public opinion with remarks about Muslim immigrants and comments about the genetic make-up of Jews, prompting calls for him...

Swedish govt, wooing voters, makes more tax pledges

Sweden's centre-right coalition government, seeking a new four-year term in an election next month, has pledged tax cuts for pensioners and more health spending. The centre-right Alliance ...

Floods boost EU support for Pakistan trade breaks

The EU foreign affairs chief will urge EU states next month to back trade concessions for Pakistan as worries grow about the impact of devastating floods on the stability of its fragile government. ...

African banks resist pressure to boost lending

With elections looming in many African countries, banks are likely to feel increasing political heat to cut sky-high lending costs but are unlikely to unleash growth-boosting cheap credit into their e...

Regulators seek to ease bank failure blow for taxpayers

Investors other than ordinary shareholders would take a loss before banks are bailed out by taxpayers or fail under a new proposal from the Basel Committee of global banking regulators. The proposal...