AFP - Most major European markets were shut for a public holiday on Tuesday with the exception of London, where the FTSE 100 index of leading shares drifted lower in initial deals.

AFP - In late morning deals, London's FTSE 100 index jumped 0.67 percent to 6,462.90 points.

AFP - The FTSE 100 index jumped 0.35 percent to 6,507.00 points with major stocks showing a strong performance.

FT.com - Frenetic merger developments during the final two sessions this week led European equity markets to fresh 6½-year highs.

AFP - South Korea and the European Union on Sunday declared the formal launch of free trade talks to combine Asia's third largest economy and the world's largest trading bloc.

AFP - South Korea and the European Union Monday started free trade talks aimed at linking Asia's third largest economy to the world's biggest trading bloc.

AP - Europe's $4.9 billion satellite navigation system is in deep crisis and will require more public funds to get back on track, the European Union said.

AFP - London's FTSE 100 index added 0.37 percent to 6,574.40 points.

AP - The European Central Bank is expected to hold its key interest rate steady Thursday but set the stage for a likely quarter-point increase next month as it keeps a steady hand on the pulse of the euro zone.

AFP - The FTSE 100 index of leading shares dropped 0.42 percent to 6,538.20 points as it took a hit on Monday as heavyweight mining stocks slid.

AFP - The 13-nation eurozone economy shifted down a gear in the first quarter with growth of 3.1 percent over 12 months as a German sales tax rise hit consumers in Europe's biggest economy, official EU data showed Tuesday.

FT.com - US visitors to the UK have long learned to insulate themselves from shock by pretending that £-signs in shop windows are in fact $-stickers. But with the pound now trading around $2, the difference may just be too much to bear. Some resulting woes in the UK tourism and manufactured goods exporting sectors have been real. Nevertheless, the strong pound has been largely positive for the UK, playing to the strengths of the British economy.

AFP - Nearing the halfway stage, the FTSE 100 index of leading shares rose 0.20 percent to 6,572.70 points.

AFP - At the halfway stage, FTSE 100 index of leading shares climbed 0.62 percent to 6,619.90 points.

AFP - Financial shocks that would hit European economies may be coming but the eurozone is fully equipped to deal with any problems, European Central Bank board member Christian Noyer said.

AFP - Italy's biggest bank, Unicredit, on Sunday said it would take over Capitalia, also of Italy, in a friendly merger creating the euro zone's largest bank by market capitalisation.

AFP - In late morning trade, the FTSE 100 index of leading shares climbed 0.24 percent to 6,657.00 points.

AFP - Leading shares closed up, helped by strong gains for Vodafone ahead of the company's full year earnings statement due on Tuesday, while Wall Street was higher amid various M&A-related interest, dealers said.

AFP - Japanese automaker Honda has ruled out further investment in its British plant because of London's refusal to join the single European currency.

AFP - The FTSE 100 index of leading shares rose 0.43 percent to 6,598.50 points on Tuesday.

AFP - The number of people out of work in Germany fell to the lowest level in five and a half years in May thanks to the current boom in Europe's biggest economy, official data showed on Thursday.