AFP - The euro on Monday fell below 1.45 dollars for the first time since February as the market anticipated lower interest rates in the eurozone, with inflation concerns easing amid tumbling oil prices.

AFP - Moscow claimed victory Tuesday after EU leaders stepped back from imposing sanctions over Russia's partial occupation of neighbouring Georgia.

AP - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia will respond calmly to an increase in NATO ships in the Black Sea in the aftermath of the short war with Georgia, but promised that "there will be an answer."

AFP - London shares made gains as crude-oil futures fell Tuesday.

AP - European Union leaders warned Russia on Monday that talks on a wide-ranging political and economic agreement would be postponed unless Russian troops pull back from positions in Georgia.

AFP - Russian newspapers on Tuesday hailed a victory for Moscow after the European Union froze talks on closer ties until Russian troops withdraw from Georgia but stopped short of imposing economic sanctions.

AFP - The euro fell below the 1.45 dollars level for the first time since February 12 as the market anticipated lower interest rates in the euro zone.

AFP - London shares closed lower on Monday, weighed down by weakening commodity prices.

AP - European Union leaders warned Russia on Monday that talks with on a wide-ranging political and economic agreement would be postponed unless Russian troops pull back from positions in Georgia.

AFP - The British finance minister has warned the country is facing "arguably the worst" economic downturn in 60 years and says it will be "more profound and long-lasting" than people had expected.

AFP - Britain is facing "arguably the worst" economic downturn in 60 years and it will be "more profound and long-lasting" than people had expected warned Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer.

AFP - Inflation in the 15 countries sharing the euro came off record highs in August, offering an increasingly rare ray of light as the threat of recession looms, official EU data showed on Friday.

AFP - London shares finished higher on Friday, with oil stocks making the biggest gains.