Europe Stock Market News, Business News, Financial, Earnings, World Market News and Information Highlights

The U.K. economy grew more than expected in the first quarter and George Osborne pointed to signs of healing. But three charts show why the U.K.'s austerity plan is so controversial and why many argue it isn't working.

Stephen Colbert

Colbert devotes two segments to mocking the demolished intellectual case for austerity.

Saudi Arabia could change its official weekend to Friday-Saturday, in a move designed to move it closer into lockstep with global financial markets, and boost its economy.

Premium: cyber crime finger on keyboard

A bogus tweet on the Associated Press twitter account caused $136.5 billion to be wiped off the S&P 500.

A researcher straps a bomb-sniffing honey bee into a custom-designed harness before a training session sniffing out explosives.

Bomb detection technology is a growing industry, with more resources likely on the way. Here are seven new tools that could stop the next terrorist with a bomb in a backpack.

We look at bizarre "Made in Asia" innovations that have caught the consumer's imagination.

Singapore

Singapore could overtake Switzerland as the world's capital for offshore wealth by 2020, a new report says.

Bill Gross

Pimco's Bill Gross has launched an attack on Britain and the euro zone for cutting debt with severe austerity measures, warning that such action risks stifling recovery, the FT reports.

The U.K. can't resort to major fiscal stimulus, the head of sovereign ratings at Fitch told CNBC.

Here are the some of the show stoppers at the Auto Shanghai Summit, together with highly anticipated models scheduled to be released soon in this red-hot market.

Despite the election of Giorgio Napolitano as Italy's president, analysts said a snap election couldn't be ruled out.

Major debt restructuring for both Cyprus and Greece will probably force the struggling euro zone countries to leave the single currency, according to Citigroup.

Lower inflation resulting from falling oil prices could allow more expansionary monetary policies in Europe, Credit Suisse says.

Britain's Dairy Crest Group took an unusual step to protect its pension fund and further reduce its deficit, signing over its maturing cheese inventory to the retirement scheme.

From built-in fridges to partition walls, Rolls Royce owners in China are investing a sizable sum of cash to soup up the interiors of their ultra-luxury vehicles.

gold_bars_140.jpg

The collapse in bullion prices may rekindle gold mining takeovers as Chinese companies and other investors step in to rescue small and mid-sized miners.

Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Asset Management's Emerging Markets Group

Leading emerging markets investor Mark Mobius is still bullish on China, despite the country's disappointing economic growth in the first quarter.

“Time is running out“ for Francois Hollande to save France, says the country’s largest independent asset manager. But will he listen?

Consumers of high-end diamond jewelry want the real thing and are willing to pay up, even though the lab-made variety are free of the 'blood diamonds' stigma.

Baroness Thatcher (L) waits to greet the Queen beside Tony Blair (R) and his wife Cherie (C). June, 2007.

Cherie Blair says the electoral success of Margaret Thatcher made her husband aware of the importance of claiming the center ground.

Anti-euro political parties are on the rise, find out why this one has analysts particularly worried.

It is clear why Iceland is interested in China: the Arctic nation’s prime minister is currently in Beijing to sign a free trade agreement that will boost Icelandic fish exports more than somewhat.

Britain's economy is showing one unexpected bright spot: the job market for butlers is booming.

South Korean rapper Psy's new video, "Gentleman", rocketed up the YouTube heights with more than 82 million views on Tuesday, chasing the success of his megahit "Gangnam Style".

Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson

Following the death of Baroness Thatcher, London's mayor Boris Johnson has argued that her policies of free markets and low taxes are alive and kicking.

A Freeport- McMoran Copper and Gold Inc. mine.

The super cycle in commodities has come to an end, according to researchers at Citi, who downgraded several mining stocks on Monday as metals prices have continued to decline.

Kate Middleton

After several mishaps with its cruise ships, Carnival hopes Kate Middleton will give its new Princess Cruise division the royal touch.

Members of Eris, a regional intervention unit  of the French penitentiary administration are at work in front of a door opened with explosives by an inmate, Redoine Faid, who managed to escape after holding five wardens hostage.

One of France's most notorious criminals escaped from prison using explosives to blast his way through five security doors.

The robots are coming and their presence will eventually bridge the digital-physical divide, dramatically impacting human life, experts say.

A new study is turning the American dream on its head: Maybe it's not hard work that brings success and money. Maybe it's sheer brainpower.

A conservative city councilor, Jerome Dubus, will propose that the French capital pay homage to Britain's outspoken former prime minister by naming a street after her at the next council meeting this month.