Unemployment

Mitt Romney is described as a "vampire" sucking the life out of a business in a new campaign ad for Barack Obama.

The downtrend in the euro (EUR) seems set to last in the coming weeks as the single currency continues to come under pressure due to political uncertainty, sovereign debt crisis, and deepening recession in the eurozone.

Spain's Indignados fill streets to march against austerity measures that have not brought any improvement to the country's economic situation.

Chancellor George Osborne has suffered a downpour of bad economic news for the UK in recent months and there looks like no end to Britain's economic woes

International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, has posted a first quarter loss of €249m.

William Hill and Ladbrokes suspend bets as inconclusive elections make it a hot favourite with punters to exit.

British bookmaker suspends bets on Greek exit as economic, political turmoil escalates.

Labour leader mocks David Cameron for local election losses and failing to make U-turn on 45p tax rate.

A brief summary of the day's market-moving events across Europe's major economies

Spanish shares slumped and its benchmark borrowing costs spiked as investors switched focus to yet another indebted European economy as the region's financial crisis intensifies.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg admitted that they must do more to get the UK's mired economy growing again.

Staffing Group beats forecasts for earnings, sales amid challenging European economy

Pasok and New Democracy parties failed to secure majority in the Greek parliamentary elections.

Hollande, the first Socialist to be President of France in nearly two decades, said that he was proud of rekindling the hope of people with his victory.

Francois Hollande became the first Socialist French President in 17 years by defeating the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in the Sunday run-off.

Obama acknowledges that the November elections will be a close call between him and his rival Mitt Romney.

Voters are expected to reject the two main parties Pasok and New Democracy party.

Opinion polls held earlier had put socialist Francois Hollande ahead of Sarkozy.

All opinion polls give Francois Hollande a handsome victory.

Labour Party leader emerges from council elections in stronger position with hundreds of seats taken.

A tough week for Europe's markets just got worse after grim jobs data from the United States

John Lewis, the employee-owned co-operative, has reported significant sales growth for the week ending 28 April.

David Cameron's Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition has been punished by voters in local elections over its austerity measures and a weak economy.

Major councils including Southampton, Birmingham, Norwich, Thurrock and Harlow have been won by Labour.

The United Nations Food Price Index reports its first fall in four months, driven by dairy, sugar and cereals.

AP-conducted poll shows economists forecasting US jobs recovery that will boost President Barack Obama's prospects in November's presidential race.

Spain raises €2.5bn but pays an extra 1.5 percent in interest as investor demand more protection

Labour holds on to double-digit lead as voters turn out for mayoral and council elections.

The euro continued to weaken against the British pound to reach a near-two-year low on Wednesday, after the release of dismal economic data showing that the region is heading towards a deepening recession.

Germany showing signs of rust as rotting European economy chaffs the region's engine