Euro takes a beating, partly in fear of Ireland’s Nice vote

THE euro took a beating on all sides on Thursday from German budget woes, a Dutch government collapse and a looming referendum on European Union expansion plans.

Meanwhile, the dollar rose on Wall Street's bright prospects..

German Finance Minister Hans Eichel went on the defensive on Thursday, denying reports of a 14 billion hole in Germany's 2002 budget. He termed the reports "wild speculation".