Darren Ennis

EU finance ministers were near a deal to set up new super-watchdogs to police banks following the economic crisis, the Swedish finance minister said.

European Union leaders resolved a funding dispute on Friday to agree a negotiating position for talks on a global deal to combat climate change.

Irish voters appear to have backed the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty, government and opposition officials said on Saturday.

The eurozone is emerging from recession, the European Commission said on Monday, although it kept a gloomy forecast for 2009.

EU leaders will agree more steps on Friday to avert a repeat of the banking crisis that has sapped the world economy.

Leaders should make early efforts to conclude the Doha round of global trade talks as a key part of fighting the crisis, the head of the WTO said.

A double from Raul helped Juande Ramos secure his first win as Real Madrid coach in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Diego Maradona enjoyed a winning start as Argentina coach with a 1-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday.

Barcelona and Sporting advanced to the Champions League knockout stage while Inter Milan and Chelsea missed the chance to guarantee their places.

The Champions League burst into life on Tuesday with 36 goals in eight matches, including 24 in just three games.

Dimitar Berbatov's first two goals for Manchester United helped secure a 3-0 win over AaB Aalborg in Champions League Group E on Tuesday.

Nato pledged on Wednesday to stay the course to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan at a summit where nations offered guarded concessions to improve the mobility of allied forces battling Taliban insurgents. Alliance leaders also reversed policy on Serbia and Bosnia by offering them a first step towards Nato membership.