De Standaard

Rajoy’s Path to Bailout Clears as EU Endorses Austerity

European Union budget enforcer Olli Rehn removed an obstacle blocking Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s path to a sovereign bailout, endorsing his deficit- reduction efforts as the recession deepened.

Euro Chiefs Set to Grant Greece Extension Amid Squabbles

Euro-area finance chiefs may grant Greece more time to meet its bailout targets even as they split on whether the country needs another debt writedown and Greek politicians squabble over further austerity measures.

Greece Urged by Europe to Overcome Last Hurdles to Aid

Euro-area governments pressed Greece to make deeper spending cuts to keep aid flowing, in the latest test of wills during the three-year battle to prevent the single currency’s breakup.

Davignon Says Super-Rich Tax Is Acceptable, De Standaard Reports

Belgian billionaire and Suez board member Etienne Davignon says higher tax rates for the “super rich” are acceptable, he is cited in an interview with Belgian newspaper De Standaard.

EU May Ban Iran Oil Within Months, Reynders Tells De Standaard

The European Union may ban Iranian oil imports within a few months, while ensuring the embargo doesn’t hurt the region’s economy and international security, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told De Standaard.

EU to Do All Needed for Spain Banks, Vanackere Tells Standaard

The European Union will do everything needed to save the Spanish banking industry, Belgian Finance Minister Steven Vanackere told De Standaard in an interview.

Colruyt Seeking to Share Wind Farm Investments: Standaard

Colruyt SA, a Belgian retailer, is seeking investors to share the costs of offshore wind farms, De Standaard said, without saying where it got the information.

GIMV to Start New Health-Care Investment Fund, Standaard Reports

GIMV NV plans to raise as much as 200 million euros ($254 million) for a new health-care investment fund, De Standaard reported, without saying where it got the information.

Arco Seeks Dexia Details Before Capital Boost, De Standaard Says

Dexia SA shareholder Groep Arco is seeking further information on the business plan of French unit Dexia Credit Local SA before it will agree to sign off on a 4.2 billion euro ($5.6 billion) capital increase, De Standaard reported, citing people it didn’t identify.

ECB Recommends Trimming Dexia Debt Guarantees, De Standaard Says

The European Central Bank recommends cutting both the size and duration of planned government guarantees for Dexia SA’s liabilities, De Standaard reported on its website, without saying where it obtained the information.

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European Central Bank

China Leaders Tested on Growth Resolve After Slowdown: Economy

Japanese Shares Lead Asian Stocks Higher as Metals Drop

Gold Bull Bets Reach Seven-Week High Before Retreat: Commodities

Google Is Said to Be Acquiring Waze for $1.1 Billion

Apple to Revamp IPhone Software, Ending Product Funk