Big ANC majority could usher in South African economic reforms

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - In the 20 years since apartheid, South African jewellery designer Nthabiseng Xaba has gone from bank clerk to state employee to thriving entrepreneur - just the kind of economic improvement story the government wants to promote.

Portugal to Emulate Ireland in Exit From Bailout Program

Portugal will follow Ireland in exiting its three-year bailout program without seeking a precautionary credit line, after bond yields in peripheral Europe dropped to pre-crisis levels.

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.

Japan considers tax breaks to promote investment, help companies: report

(Reuters) - Japan is considering expanding tax breaks and loosening some rules to promote investment in start-ups as part of the second installment of the government's economic growth strategy, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday.

Bank of England warns on house price 'correction'

The Bank of England has given a stark warning that the recent surge in house prices could end in a crash.

Jamaica scraps bank withdrawal tax

The Jamaican government has announced it is scrapping controversial plans for a tax on bank withdrawals.

Dutch PM threatened in 2012 to quit euro zone over reform contracts: newspaper

(Reuters) - Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte threatened in 2012 to take his country out of the euro zone if Brussels pushed forward with plans to impose "reform contracts" on member states, according to the daily De Volkskrant, citing several sources.