AFP - European stocks fell on Monday as political unrest in Egypt pushed down the share prices of oil majors and travel groups, traders said.

AFP - European Union president Herman Van Rompuy sought Monday to bridge divisions over deepening economic coordination in the eurozone, scaling down a disputed Franco-German plan opposed by several states.

AFP - Ireland's central bank on Thursday ordered a drastic overhaul of the eurozone nation's stricken banking sector as the cost of bailing out its lenders was set to top 70 billion euros ($99 billion).

AP - The EU's competition watchdog is investigating the practices of some the world's biggest banks, as well as a market data firm and a clearing house, in the market for credit default swaps.

AP - Japan and the European Union agreed at a summit meeting Saturday to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement that would deepen economic ties between two of the world's largest economies. As a bloc, the EU is the world's largest economy; Japan is number four.

AP - The Italian government approved a euro47 billion ($68 billion) austerity sweep Thursday to show financial markets and the European Union it is serious about balancing its budget.

Reuters - Ireland's insistence that it is different from Greece and the rest of the euro zone periphery appears finally to be striking a chord among investors.

Reuters - A minister in Angela Merkel's conservative party propelled Germany into a debate about guarantees on bailout payments to Greece, backing a demand from Finland for collateral, but Berlin distanced itself from her comments.

Time.com - In the German financial capital of Frankfurt, locals see the continued bailout of other euro zone countries as an affront; but leaving the currency altogether is just as unpalatable. Can Germany lead Europe out of its current crisis?

AP - A Spanish judge has freed five Algerians arrested on suspicion of financing an al-Qaida-linked group in North Africa, citing a lack of evidence.

AP - Turkey is hosting a conference this week on creating a regional strategy for improving security and economic development in Afghanistan ahead of the withdrawal of international combat forces by the end of 2014.

Reuters - European Union foreign ministers aim to exert pressure on Iran and deepen its economic isolation, but the nature of new sanctions is still being discussed, Britain and the EU's foreign policy chief said on Thursday.

AP - With another recession looming, European leaders on Monday met in Brussels to discuss ways to stimulate growth and create badly needed jobs, even as they drew up tighter spending limits to avoid a repeat of the crippling debt crisis.

Reuters - Lebanese banks which worked for years to build up business in neighboring Syria have been quietly implementing U.S. and European Union sanctions against Damascus to avoid jeopardizing their international operations, bankers and economists say.