Side deals with Moscow thwart drive to wean Europe off Russian gas

(Reuters) - While officials in Brussels were calling for Europe to reduce its dependency on Russian natural gas and negotiate with Moscow as a bloc, Austria was quietly bypassing the European Commission to cut its own bilateral deal on building a pipeline.

French economy 'still looking weak'

France's unemployment rate is stubbornly high, just below 11%, and economic growth is persistently weak.

Greek economy to shrink for seventh year, OECD says

The Greek economy will keep shrinking next year and may need more financial help, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says.

Greek bailout deal is a classic fudge – but should work for now

There was something for everyone in the latest Greek debt deal. Athens gets enough money to stop the country going bust, Angela Merkel has done enough to keep Greece in the euro until after next year's German elections.

US exempts Japan and EU nations from Iran oil sanctions

The US government will not impose sanctions on Japan and 10 European Union nations that have reduced their oil imports from Iran.

World Bank chief says U.S. should lead some global bodies

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A solid U.S. candidate to head the World Bank would be good for the United States and the bank because the world's largest economy should be represented in top international bodies, outgoing President Robert Zoellick said on Saturday, while emphasizing he has no role in the selection process.