BREAKING NEWS: European Union and Canada agree free-trade deal – EU statement

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Insight - Europe's bold vision hits trouble

(Reuters) - Barely a year after European leaders set out an ambitious vision for the euro zone's future, progress has all but stalled and pressure is building for what may amount to a 'make or break' moment for the union.

The idea of a roadmap setting out steps towards the deeper integration of the euro zone came about in early 2012, when the debt crisis was at its peak and there were legitimate fears that Greece could be forced out of the currency union, or that the whole European project could disintegrate.

Say cheese - EU strikes trade deal with Canada, looks to U.S.

BRUSSELS/LUXEMBOURG | Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:01pm BST
(Reuters) - The European Union and Canada agreed a multi-billion-dollar trade pact on Friday that will integrate two of the world's largest economies and paves the way for Europe to clinch an even bigger deal with the United States.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso sealed the pact - the EU's first with a member of the Group of Eight biggest world economies - by resolving outstanding issues in Brussels.

Google shares hit $1,000 after strong earnings

Google shares have topped $1,000 (£617) for the first time after the company reported better-than-expected earnings.

The company posted a 36% jump in net profits to $2.97bn for the July-to-September period.

Shares in the giant online search and ads company rose more than 13% to $1,006, and are now up 41% since the start of 2013.

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