AFP - European stock markets rose in early dealing with Reckitt Benckiser, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, holding pole position in London on positive broker comment.

BusinessWeek Online - It's a devastating blow to Europe's political elite. In rejecting a proposed European Union constitution, French and Dutch voters have dealt a stern rebuke to the leaders who spent nearly three years drafting the 400-page document and campaigning for its adoption. And they have cast aside a longstanding article of faith with those leaders: That a more united Europe is essential to act as a counterweight to the economic and political might of the U.S. and, increasingly, China. ...

AFP - The euro rallied against the dollar, having slipped in response to remarks by Italian Social Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni that Italy should consider re-introducing temporarily the lira alongside the single European currency.

AFP - European stock markets closed down for the weekend, depressed by US employment figures.

AFP - Traders and dealers in London's financial markets have found a new subject for speculation: is the European Union's eurozone going to collapse after the 'no' votes in referendums in France and the Netherlands on the European constitution?

AFP - The euro firmed against the dollar but analysts predicted only a temporary respite this week for the struggling single European currency.

Reuters - Euro zone countries agreed on Monday a deal should be reached this month on a long-term budget to show the European Union was in business despite French and Dutch 'No' referendum votes against a bloc constitution.

AFP - The United States fully backs European efforts to halt Iran's suspected nuclear activities but is not mulling any new economic incentives for Tehran, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.

AFP - The European Union should build closer political ties with southeast Asian countries or risk harming strong economic links that are already enjoyed, Singapore's foreign minister warned.

AFP - British Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted that Britain would only negotiate on its jealously-guarded rebate as part of a fundamental debate of EU finances, especially on farm subsidies.

AFP - The pound was steady against the dollar as the euro remained near nine-month lows against the US currency as investors fret about the potential for political deadlock at the upcoming heads of government meeting of the European Union.

AFP - European stock markets dropped in early afternoon dealing as higher oil prices weighed on London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares and after small gains on Wall Street overnight.

AFP - European stock markets rose in early dealing, with a strong performance in mining stocks lifting London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares, and after modest overnight gains on Wall Street.

AFP - The dollar firmed against major currencies as focus switched to political uncertainty at the European summit in Brussels, likely to unsettle the euro.

AFP - The dollar resumed its upward move against the euro as the opening of a fractious European Union summit highlighted the weak sentiment around the single currency.

AFP - European leaders launched a last-ditch bid to break a deadlock between Britain and its partners over future EU financing, as 11th hour glimmers of hope emerged at a crisis-summit.

AFP - Deep disagreements about the future economic management of the 25-nation European Union hung over leaders after the collapse of an acrimonious EU summit this weekend.

AFP - British Prime Minister Tony Blair said 'Europe cannot wait 10 years or more' to draft the changes needed for its spending plan amid pressure from the global economy.

AP - German finance professionals' outlook for Europe's biggest economy rose in June on optimism spurred by the depreciation of the euro currency.

AP - Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Tuesday that Europe must choose between two futures: one as a politically united continent able to hold its own in a globalized economy and the other as an enfeebled trading bloc.

AP - Iraq won wide and concrete support from the international community Wednesday, prompting bursts of optimism for the country as it struggles to rebuild its security forces in the midst of withering terror attacks.

AFP - British Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned that Europe faces 'grand strategic failure' if it shies away from urgent economic reform while emerging giants like China and India power ahead.

Canadian Press - SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) - Bulgarians vote Saturday in an election that could lead to the ouster of the prime minister despite his government's success in achieving stable economic growth and bringing the country into NATO and toward EU membership.

AFP - Even if European Union nations heed British Prime Minister Tony Blair's advice to modernise their economies, there is no way they can catch up to Asia's blistering rates of growth, economists say.

AFP - European stock markets dipped in early trading as oil prices pushed past 60 dollars per barrel, heightening concern that the soaring cost of energy would eat into corporate profits.

Reuters - Oil prices stabilized above $60 a barrel on Tuesday and European shares rose back toward 3-year highs, while government bonds and the euro eased as country risk resurfaced within the European Monetary Union.

AP - The European Union on Wednesday gave Italy until the end of 2007 to cut its budget deficit in line with euro-zone rules.

AFP - Britain will try hard to seal an agreement on the European Union 2007-2013 budget during its upcoming presidency, while also focusing on the bloc's expansion and economic growth, according to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.