THOUGH only two players from this country will be involved — and neither may start for their respective clubs — European football will again dominate hearts and minds here this week.

Two people were pulled to safety from the burning wreckage of a light aircraft that crash-landed on a main road and burst into flames in northern New Zealand today.

A massive explosion at Bermuda’s only electricity company triggered an island-wide power blackout, paralysing commerce in the British territory and international centre for offshore insurance companies.

The US dollar slid to a record low against the euro today as dealers continued to fret over the size of America’s current account deficit.

Semiconductor giant Intel helped keep European markets on the front foot today after announcing a sharp improvement in quarterly sales and profits.

EUROPE’S longest stock-market rally since the bull market peak in 2000 has sputtered during the past month, and an unexpected rise in US employment may not be enough to revive the advance.

Meteorologists say a 120mph hurricane heading towards Bermuda could be the worst storm to hit the islands in years.

Oil prices have risen following the suspected sabotage which closed Iraq's pipeline to Turkey only two days after it was reopened.

A WAVE of more upbeat company results and economic data have stoked a summer surge in British share prices and should keep them on the rise in the coming months — albeit at a less sizzling pace.

Flat racing is traditionally known as the Sport of Kings, but given the success enjoyed by the ruling family of Dubai over the last 20 years it could just as accurately be described as the Sport of Sheikhs.

BASED on a 1960s American TV series, I Spy stars Eddie Murphy as Kelly Robinson, a loud-mouthed, egotistical boxer who is recruited by the secret service to help track down a missing plane.

The FTSE 100 Index tumbled back below the 4,000 level today as hefty falls from banking and insurance stocks hit the market.

After a tumultuous year on the stock market UK analysts are predicting better news for investors in 2003.

The FTSE 100 Index eased past the 4000 level today as weak trading took its toll on blue-chip shares.

THE uncertainty about the possibility of war was the underlying factor which wiped millions of euro from the value of shares on stock markets across the globe yesterday, according to Goodbody Stockbrokers head of research Colin Hunt.

The London market plunged to its lowest close for eight weeks today as gloomy sentiment around the world hit home.

The worst could be over for the battered London stock market and investors could be looking forward to a sustained bounce back, it was claimed today.

Investors are today clinging to the hope that last week’s mini shares revival marked the start of brighter times for leading stocks.

Investors suffered another session of woe today as the London market slid further below the 4,000 mark to hit fresh lows.

HOPES that the London market might end a turbulent week on a high note crashed today as blue-chip shares fell sharply.

LONDON'S heavyweight stocks continued their resurgence yesterday as the FTSE 100 Index soared to within reach of the 4300 barrier.

The London market rallied today as blue-chip shares raced ahead after a spate of hefty losses.

Blue-chip shares took another knock today as gains earlier in the session disappeared in the wake of more bad news from the US.

Nervy investors were dealt another blow today as Irish drinks and snacks company C&C called off a planned €1.1bn flotation just hours before a deadline to sign up for shares.

The London market slumped to its lowest close for more than five years today as another plunge on Wall Street send shudders through investors.

Economists expect the Footsie to bounce back next year.

The FTSE 100 Index is forecast to have a better time following this year’s gloomy performance - and end 2002 around the 5,800 mark, City experts said today.

Shares on the London market have slumped amid concerns about the global economy.

Marconi is worth £400m less after shares lost 28% as the stock dived 15p to just 38p.

A robust performance is expected from British American Tobacco, when it reveals interim results next week.

CGNU is counting the cost of last autumn's torrential rain, which is expected to hit its pre-tax profits.