LONDON (AFP) - European stock markets slid on Thursday as investors took profits from recent gains amid caution before the latest interest rate decision from the European Central Bank.

DUBLIN (Reuters) - No decision has yet been made on whether Anglo Irish Bank will be gradually wound down or split into a "good bank" and "bad bank," an Irish government source said on Thursday.

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's government has not yet decided what to do with Anglo Irish Bank and is considering two options with the European Commission, a government source said on Thursday.

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's government now favours a gradual wind-down of nationalised lender Anglo Irish Bank rather than a split of the institution and its assets into "good" and "bad" banks, newspapers reported on Thursday.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. manufacturing sector grew faster than expected in August, but private employers unexpectedly cut jobs, showing the economic recovery still faces headwinds.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. manufacturing sector grew faster than expected in August, but private employers unexpectedly cut jobs, showing the economic recovery still faces headwinds.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A manufacturing rebound in China and stronger-than-expected U.S. factory data spurred a jump in equity and commodity prices worldwide on Wednesday, helping start the month on a bright note after a gloomy August.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. manufacturing sector grew faster than expected in August, chalking up a 13th straight month of expansion, helping to calm fears that economic growth was stagnating.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. manufacturing sector grew faster than expected in August, chalking up a 13th straight month of expansion, helping to calm fears that economic growth was stagnating.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. private employers unexpectedly cut jobs in August, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Wednesday, delivering another blow to the already faltering economic recovery.

LONDON (Reuters) - World stocks started the month on a brighter note on Wednesday as data showed a manufacturing rebound in China and stronger-than-expected growth in Australia, while the yen held near recent 15-year peaks against the dollar.

LONDON (AFP) - Asian and European stocks rose on Wednesday, lifted by bargain-hunting and upbeat data, as dealers set aside Wall Street's worst August performance in nine years amid stubborn US recovery doubts.

LONDON (AFP) - Asian and European stocks rose on Wednesday, lifted by bargain-hunting and upbeat data, as dealers set aside Wall Street's worst August performance in nine years amid stubborn US recovery doubts.

LONDON (Reuters) - World stocks kicked off September on a stronger note on Wednesday as data showed a manufacturing rebound in China and stronger-than-expected growth in Australia, while the yen held near recent 15-year peaks against the dollar.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve would need to consider further support for the economy if the outlook weakened "appreciably," according to minutes of the central bank's August 10 policy-setting meeting.

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Europe's banks willingly accepted lower returns from the European Central Bank on their cash on Tuesday, highlighting the appeal of the ECB's safe-haven status amid ongoing money market tensions.

LONDON (Reuters) - Leading investors around the world barely changed their exposure to assets in August, trimming equities slightly in favour of bonds, where they loaded up on top-notch corporates, Reuters polls showed on Tuesday.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone inflation slowed in August, pointing to steady interest rates well into 2011, but unemployment remains high and uneven across the region, underlining the two-speed recovery, data showed on Tuesday.

LONDON (AFP) - World stock markets sank heavily on Tuesday as investors shunned risky assets amid renewed fears over the United States economy, while Tokyo also dived on concern over the soaring yen, dealers said.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone inflation slowed in August, pointing to steady interest rates well into 2011, but unemployment remains high and uneven across the region, underlining the two-speed recovery, data showed on Tuesday.