AP - Fortis NV named a new chief executive officer on Friday, after the banking and insurance company's shares fell 21 percent over worries about its solvency.

AFP - The leading share index fell sharply into the red on Friday after the proposed $700 billion bailout of the US financial sector hit an impasse amid political wrangling in Washington.

AP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday the world came within "a whisker of catastrophe" during the recent financial crisis and that those responsible for the crisis must be identified and held accountable.

AP - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered support for U.S. President George W. Bush's economic rescue package Thursday, a day before the two leaders plan to meet in Washington to discuss the global turmoil.

AFP - Europe's leading stock markets sank Friday in early trade, hit by growing doubts about the progress of a 700-billion-dollar bailout package for the US financial sector.

AFP - London shares closed up sharply on Thursday as optimism over the US Congress' approval of a 700-billion-pound government rescue plan fueled investor confidence.

AFP - European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday urged the next US president to work with the EU to confront challenges like the financial crisis, ties with Russia and climate change.

AP - Police arrested 11 suspected Basque militants Wednesday in southwest France in two separate investigations, including the financing of terror attacks in France and Spain, officials said.

AFP - London shares closed lower on Wednesday as jitters from the current financial crisis continued to unnerve traders with energy companies suffering the most.

AFP - Europe does not need a US-style bailout plan for the financial sector, top EU officials said Wednesday, limiting their response to the current crisis to calls for tougher regulation.