Inflation in the 17 euro countries remained steady at 2.5 percent in August, adding to expectations the European Central Bank will hold off from raising interest rates — and may even consider cutting them — as economic growth slows.

Wednesday's figure is still above the ECB's target of just below 2 percent, but underlines that prices in the eurozone are not rising as quickly as earlier in the year. In June, inflation was 2.7 percent.

Air France-KLM, British Airways and Lufthansa are the safest airlines in Europe, according to a study ranking the "ten safest airlines" by the Air Transport Rating Agency (ATRA) released Monday.

The safest U.S.-based airlines are AMR Corporation, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and U.S. Airways, while the safest from Asia is Japan Airlines, it said, without giving a ranking within the top ten.

Sales of new homes plunged by 22.6 percent in France during the second quarter compared to the same period last year, the housing ministry said Tuesday.

Construction starts rose by 9.1 percent to 80,524 however, and the issue of construction permits climbed by 8.6 percent to 118,747.

With Italy facing the prospect of drastic cuts to balance its budget in the years to come, a growing number of ordinary Italians are criticizing massive tax breaks given to the Roman Catholic Church.

A Facebook page set up by leftist campaigners in recent weeks asking the Vatican to help ease austerity in Italy has already collected 130,000 supporters. It asks for numerous exemptions given to the Church to be revised.

A Chinese tycoon is trying to buy a huge tract of land in Iceland for a $100 million eco-tourism project that will include a golf course, the Financial Times said Tuesday.

Huang Nubo, a real estate investor and former government official, has sealed a provisional deal to acquire 300 square kilometers (about 200 square miles) of Icelandic territory, the newspaper said.

The dollar fell against the euro in Asia on Monday as risk appetite grew after a much-awaited speech by U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

Currency rates barely moved after the ruling Democratic Party of Japan elected Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda as new leader.

Oil prices rose to near $86 a barrel Monday in Asia after a hurricane left minimal damage among refineries along the U.S East Coast.

Benchmark oil for October delivery was up 46 cents to $85.83 at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Crude rose 7 cents to settle at $85.37 on Friday.

World stock markets rose Monday, with buying appetite getting a boost from Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke's prediction that the U.S. economy will eventually return to full health.

Oil prices lingered above $85 a barrel in Asia after Hurricane Irene did little damage to refineries along the U.S. East Coast. The dollar was lower against the yen and the euro.

Jordan's energy czar says his country will sign an agreement with Egypt next month to resume natural gas supplies.

Energy Minister Khaled Toukan says several attacks this year on Egypt's pipeline delivering the fuel may prompt Jordan to look for alternatives, but Jordan will now try to use Egyptian gas to meet its energy needs.

Mideast investment firm Abraaj Capital says it has bought French asset manager Amundi's private equity business in North Africa.

The Dubai-based private equity house said Sunday the deal includes assuming control of Amundi's offices in Morocco and Tunisia and the management of a $161 million regional buyout fund. It will also acquire Amundi's stake in the fund.