World stocks rose for a third day running on Wednesday as better-than-expected U.S. company earnings and firm data raised expectations that the economy would keep strong momentum into the first quarter. Government bond futures eased ahead of the release of the European Commission's opinion on Greece's deficit-cutting plan, where a tick of approval could help

Gains in miners and banks, helped by rising risk appetite, outweighed weakness in drugmakers with AstraZeneca hit by fears about a cancer drug, to push Britain's top share index up 0.2 percent early on Wednesday. Moves were mostly muted, with investors still uncertain about prospects for the global economy awaiting the U.S. ADP employment report

Toyota Motor Corp suffered a sharp drop in U.S. sales last month as its massive recall and unprecedented sales halt allowed rivals to grab market share from the world's largest automaker. Honda Motor Co was not a beneficiary of Toyota's woes in January, but it raised its forecast for the year to March after cost

Google has taken the unusual step of using real-world advertising to promote its Chrome web browser in Europe ahead of a regulatory change that will make it easier for consumers to switch Web browsers. In a departure from its usual dependence on viral and word-of-mouth marketing, Google is running a billboard and newspaper ad campaign

Europeans are on average broadly satisfied with their personal situation, but less satisfied when it comes to the economy, public services and social policies in their country, according to an opinion survey released 2 February. The Eurobarometer on the social climate in the EU also found large differences between countries, with people in the Nordic

The economic crisis has made Cypriots to worry more about the cost of living in Cyprus, their purchasing power, the economic situation of the country and the unemployment rate, according to the Autumn Eurobarometer 2009, which was presented today by the European Commission Representation in Nicosia. The Eurobarometer also showed that the majority of the

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expresses his conviction that Greece will achieve a correction of its budget deficit within the timetable set and, in a written statement issued here on Tuesday evening, declared that on Wednesday the European Commission will propose to the European Union's Council of finance ministers the approval of Greece's stability

Prime Minister George Papandreou, addressing the Greek people on Tuesday evening after holding meetings with political party leaders at the Maximos Mansion during the day, announced new measures to tackle the economic crisis. Papandreou stressed that the country was at the centre of speculating games that have the euro as the ultimate target and used

Asian shares powered ahead on Wednesday with energy and resources stocks leading the way, as demand for riskier assets increased after Wall Street rallied on upbeat U.S. earnings and economic data. European stocks were set to gain for a fourth straight session on strength in Asian and U.S. markets, with investors awaiting the European Commission's