AP - European Union nations agreed Monday on the need for a new round of sanctions to discourage Iran from developing nuclear weapons, targeting the country's oil and gas sectors in what would be the strongest punishment yet.

AFP - Inflation in the 15-nation eurozone hit a record 3.7 percent in May, pushed by soaring oil and food prices to the highest level since the single European currency was launched in 1999, official figures showed Monday.

AFP - European equity prices dropped on Friday as oil and mining majors lost ground, but losses were limited by gains to banking share prices, traders said.

Reuters - Stocks closed higher on Friday, helped by a government report that showed underlying price pressures rose moderately in May, easing fears that inflation would force a near-term rise in interest rates.

AFP - The dollar rose against the euro and the yen on Friday amid a Group of Eight finance meeting in Japan, with analysts keen to see whether ministers will back US efforts to strengthen the dollar.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Friday, helped by a government report that showed underlying price pressures rose moderately in May, easing fears that inflation would force a near-term rise in interest rates.

AFP - European stock markets rose on Thursday, shrugging off heavy share-price falls in Asia and on Wall Street which were driven by another spike in oil futures and inflation worries, analysts said.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets steadied on Wednesday after a mixed showing elsewhere, as investors tracked high oil prices and the outlook for interest rates.

AFP - Leading shares closed lower, with banks suffering as a statement from Royal Bank of Scotland failed to inspire and HBOS fell below its rights issue price, and with Wall Street weaker in early trade, as oil prices rose.

AFP - European equities sank on Tuesday after sharper falls in Asia on widespread concern that sky-high oil prices will stoke inflation and force central banks to tighten credit, analysts said.

AP - President Bush and European allies on Tuesday threatened tougher sanctions to squeeze Iran's finances and derail its potential pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Bush said the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran would endanger world peace.

AFP - European markets held steady on Monday despite a slump in Asia, after a breathtaking surge in oil prices and shock jump in US unemployment sent Wall Street spinning and fanned fears of a US recession.

AFP - Leading shares closed lower Monday as banking stocks extended their losses after worrying news from Lehman Brothers, while a rally on Wall Street wasn't enough to push the FTSE 100 into positive territory.

AFP - Ireland holds a key referendum on a sensitive European Union treaty this week with rapidly slowing growth in the once-runaway Celtic Tiger economy preying on voters' minds.