AFP - As EU newcomer Bulgaria aims to attract ever larger flows of foreign investment, authorities and analysts have raised fears that part of the money streaming into the country may have been laundered.

AP - The European Central Bank and the Bank of England both held their official interest rates steady on Thursday as rising inflation outweighed concerns about slowing economic growth across the European Union.

AFP - Ireland's new premier Brian Cowen vowed Wednesday to make winning a crunch EU referendum next month his first priority, immediately after being elected to succeed veteran leader Bertie Ahern.

Reuters - The dollar and European stocks weakened slightly on Monday in holiday-thinned markets while euro zone government bonds rose after positions became oversold following Friday's better than expected U.S. employment data.

AFP - French Prime Minister Francois Fillon insisted here Friday that the French and European economies are sound, but that the US economic slowdown will effect Europe's growth.

AFP - Visiting French Prime Minister Francois Fillon insisted here Friday that the French and European economies are sound, but that the US economic slowdown will effect Europe's growth.

AFP - London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares edged lower on Thursday amid quiet European trade, with the Frankfurt and Paris markets shut for the May Day public holiday.

AFP - Unemployment in Germany fell by less than expected in April, official data showed Wednesday, but officials and economists stressed it did not mean economic conditions were worsening.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets dropped on Wednesday in cautious trade as investors awaited a statement from the US central that will accompany an expected cut in interest rates, dealers said.

AFP - Inflation in the 15 countries sharing the euro eased in April off record highs in March but confidence in the economy sank to a the lowest point in two-and-a-half years, EU data showed Wednesday.

AFP - Leading shares in London closed flat on Wednesday, having reversed earlier gains ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and after better-than-expected US economic data, balanced by weakness among the UK miners.

AFP - European equity markets enjoyed mixed fortunes on Tuesday, the eve of a US interest rate decision, as London was fired up by results from energy giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell.

AFP - Inflation in the 15 countries sharing the euro eased in April off a March record but confidence in the economy sank anyway to a the lowest point in two-and-a-half years, EU data showed Wednesday.