AFP - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble again voiced support on Friday for the idea of a European monetary fund (EMF) to help eurozone nations in crisis, but stressed that any aid would have to come with draconian penalties.

AFP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy showered praise on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Friday weeks before a general election here, but rebuked Brown's main rival over his policy in Europe.

AP - Greece said Friday it exceeded its deficit-cutting targets in January and February, ahead of a key fiscal assessment next week by the European Commission.

AFP - FTSE 100 shares ended slightly higher on Friday on news that retail sales in the United States rose unexpectedly in February for the second straight month.

AFP - Detailed options for concrete European-level financial support to help Greece out of its debt crisis will be presented to eurozone finance ministers next week, sources said Friday.

AP - Embattled UBS AG has warned that Switzerland's financial industry is at risk unless lawmakers approve a tax treaty with the U.S., and that other Swiss banks may be next to face pressure from American regulators.

AP - Clashes between riot police and rock-throwing, masked youths broke out during a demonstration Thursday in central Athens by tens of thousands of striking workers protesting austerity measures that the Greek government has said it has no choice but to implement.

AP - German carmaker BMW AG said Thursday its 2009 net income fell 36 percent to euro210 million ($286 million) because of lower demand for its cars and motorcycles during the economic downturn as well as a higher tax rate.

AFP - Leading shares weakened on Thursday after unconvincing gains overnight on Wall Street as investors mulled the latest economic data and company news.