AP - Russia's president and top business leaders looked Thursday to warming relations with the European Union as a ray of hope for Russia's tottering markets and at-risk economy. Yet critics say the EU is rushing too fast back into Moscow's embrace after a war that soured ties.

AFP - The European Union and United States said Thursday they had reached a deal with China over a WTO dispute on Beijing's restrictions on foreign financial news providers working in the country.

AP - European stock markets were little changed Thursday while Wall Street moved higher as stocks struggled to find direction following hefty losses in the first part of the week. Asian shares closely sharply lower.

AP - Gordon Brown has been one of the few leaders with a spring in his step since the world economy began to nosedive — and he'll be hoping it will carry him to success at a weekend summit on the global financial meltdown.

AFP - The London stock market dropped 1.06 percent at the start of trading on Thursday after heavy losses in New York and in Asia overnight.