WSJ.com: What's News Europe

Leaders Revisit Berlin Wall's Fall

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:30:06 EST

International leaders took to the streets of Germany's capital city alongside ordinary Berliners to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Souring Loans Hit Barclays, HSBC

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:05 EST

The U.K.'s healthiest big banks both reported lower third-quarter results, weighed down by souring loans even as the pace of deterioration began to slow.

EU Stance in Oracle Deal May Reopen Rift

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:25:52 EST

The EU's objection to the Oracle-Sun deal opens up new legal questions and strains the bloc's regulatory relationship with the U.S.

Merkel Pledges Tax Cuts, Warns on Jobs

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:57 EST

Chancellor Merkel reaffirmed her commitment to cutting taxes and warned that Europe's biggest economy will feel the effects of the economic crisis well into next year.

EU Increases Pressure on Greece

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:08:22 EST

The European Commission chastised Greece for its growing budget deficit and flawed economic statistics, forcing the country's finance minister to deliver regular progress reports.

Euro-Zone Economies Report Weak Output

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:57 EST

Surprisingly weak reports on industrial production and sentiment in some of the euro zone's largest economies offered a fresh reminder that the region's recovery remains fragile.

U.K. Gets Warning on Credit Rating

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:49 EST

Fitch Ratings said the U.K. is "potentially most at risk" of a downgrade. The U.K. said its credit rating is safe.

GM's Reilly to Head Opel, Vauxhall

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:59:27 EST

General Motors said international chief Nick Reilly is set to take over responsibility for the company's European Opel and Vauxhall operations.

Cadbury Sneers at Kraft Bid

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:28:33 EST

Kraft officially launched a hostile bid for Cadbury, setting in motion a tussle for control of the British confectioner.

Imperial Tobacco's Net Rises

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:42:10 EST

Imperial Tobacco posted a 55% increase in net profit, boosted by acquisitions, and named Alison Cooper its new CEO, making her the first British-born woman to head a FTSE 100 company.

Qatar Sells VW Preferred Shares

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:05 EST

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund sold 25 million preferred shares in Volkswagen, raising up to $2.37 billion, but said it still plans to increase its voting stake in the company.

Vodafone More Than Doubles Earnings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:13:12 EST

Vodafone said first-half net profit more than doubled, confirmed its full-year forecast and doubled its cost-saving target to help combat sluggish demand.

EU Opens Thomson Reuters Probe

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:37:21 EST

Thomson Reuters faces a European antitrust probe over the way it locks in customers of its market-data services.

Eni Faces Threat to Gas Network

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:04:13 EST

The Italian energy giant Eni will respond Nov. 27 to allegations it restricted European pipeline competition.

U.K. Retailers, Housing Show Gains

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:55:15 EST

Important parts of the British economy appear to be in recovery, with surveys showing a strong pickup in retail sales and housing-market sentiment in October.

GM CEO Meets With Opel Leaders

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:53:11 EST

The CEO of GM met with leaders of its Opel unit to discuss the European auto maker's future, a week after GM abruptly decided to keep it instead of selling a majority stake.

German Industrial Production Rises

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:07:38 EST

German industrial production climbed 2.7% in September, reinforcing recovery hopes as the government cabinet approved another small stimulus boost.

Ukraine Leaders Meet Under Pressure

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:25:45 EST

Ukraine's feuding political leadership will meet Tuesday in an attempt to thrash out a deal to secure much-needed further lending from the IMF.

U.K. Plans New Nuclear Power Stations

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:07:16 EST

Britain's energy secretary said a new generation of British nuclear power stations could be producing electricity by 2018.

French Police Find Cash From Heist

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:07:22 EST

French police said they had found most of the cash that went missing last week when the driver of a money-transport company vanished from the French city of Lyon with more than $16 million.

Auto Sector Weighs on Shares

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:57 EST

A weak performance by the auto sector offset gains for HSBC in Europe, as the broader market failed to extend sharp gains from the previous session.

Dollar Gains Ground on Euro

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:57 EST

The dollar managed a slight recovery against the euro, but remained sharply lower from levels late last week as investors took profits.