GERMAN banks are preparing for losses of as much as 60% on their Greek government debt holdings as European officials push for more private-investor involvement in a rescue of the debt-stricken country.

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, facing record bond yields and calls for his resignation, said Italy is “up to the task” of tackling the debt crisis as its economic fundamentals are solid.

“Austerity” is a useful word in Europe – it translates easily.

EUROPEAN Union leaders agreed yesterday on a common position to press for curbs on bonuses in the financial sector at the summit of G20 developed and emerging economies on September 24-25, EU diplomats said.

BIG changes are predicted in European Union farm policy, the Agricultural Science Association conference was told in Dublin yesterday.

The world must work together as never before to deal with the global economic crisis, the president of the European Commission warned today.

THE Irish people have the absolute right at all times to be reassured on any political points included in any provisions of the Lisbon Treaty.

IN his letter (April 24), Brian Geoghegan tries to contend that the Lisbon treaty will bring about common corporate taxes in Europe.

A THREATENED Russian ban on Irish and European beef due to begin on January 1 is inevitable unless some serious diplomatic efforts take place, it was claimed yesterday.

IT is going to take a number of weeks before a new European Commission team is installed.

THE overwhelming majority of EU leaders wanted the Taoiseach to become EU Commission President, Bertie Ahern said yesterday.

The Taoiseach is to propose the name of Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Barroso for the position of President of the EU Commission.

Bertie Ahern says the new EU Commission President will be confirmed this week.