Vienna  - Central European shares rose Monday, paced by financial companies, after the US government seized control of two troubled lenders that underpin the country's home loan market.

The Warsaw stock exchange's WIG20 blue-chip index was up 2.65 per cent to 2,569.62 points at mid-day. Benchmark indices in the Czech Republic and the Baltic nations also gained.

"The chief reason is the US government's bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," said Roman Kodera, chief broker at Patria Online in Prague. "Investors in the banking sector see it as positive information."

Paris  - Three Jewis

Brussels - The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Thursday hailed the European Union's efforts to fight climate change as a model for the world to follow.

"The European Union is a leader of the global action to mitigate climate change through its bold and innovative energy policies," said Nobuo Tanaka, the IEA's executive director, at a press conference in Brussels.

In January, the EU's executive arm, the European Commission, unveiled a package of legal proposals designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and boost the use of renewable energies.

Brussels  - The European Commission on Thursday cleared controversial plans by Italy to fingerprint its Roma residents after the government agreed to make changes enabling them to comply with European Union rules.

A spokesman for the EU's top justice official, Jacques Barrot, said good cooperation between the European Commission and the Italian government had made it possible to "correct any debatable measures or provisions."

In June, the centre-right government of Silvio Berlusconi proposed fingerprinting ethnic Roma, including children, as part of efforts to obtain more reliable information about their numbers, schooling arrangements and living conditions.

Frankfurt - The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to keep rates on hold Thursday despite signs that inflationary pressures are easing and fears are growing that large parts of Europe's economy are edging towards recession.

The Frankfurt-based ECB raised its benchmark refinancing rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 per cent in July to ward off the threat posed by resurgent inflation.

Belgrade  - The Serbian parliament on Wednesday overcame opposition to open a debate on a crucial pre-membership treaty with the European Union and several other major issues, including Kosovo.

Legislators were discussing ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement Serbia signed with EU. The treaty is a major step towards membership, but needs to be approved by all 27 member- states.