Norwegian energy giant StatoilHydro may sell US oil assets in the Gulf of Mexico – possible to a Chinese state-owned oil firm.

• Norway seeks to recover costs from StatoilHydro

Metro International, the global free newspaper publisher, said global advertising market would rebound next year after posting a vast third quarter loss.

• EU tells Sweden to dump newspaper subsidies

Rock star Bono praised Barack Obama for helping "re-brand" the US as a leading force in combating the world's most pressing problems.

“These are the best preliminary results I’m aware of for a vaccine of this type,” a vaccine expert said about a new Swedish HIV vaccine.

ABB said its third quarter profit will swell to $1 billion by a reduction in provisions.

Sweden's billionaire Kamprad family are considering selling the Habitat furniture and design chain.

• Sweden's Ikea posts record earnings

Iceland has reached a deal with the British and Dutch governments to reimburse them for compensating savers who lost money in the collapse of Icesave bank.

• Iceland's vilified bankers have fled abroad

STOCK MARKET – Swedish stocks have rallied during the week as better-than-expected company reports keep rolling in.

Nokia, the world's biggest mobile phone maker, appointed a new financial officer a day after reporting its first loss in a decade.

Switzerland could scrap moves to buy up to 20 new fighter planes after the defence minister voiced fears over the cost.

• Saab prepares for 'life after Gripen'

The decision by a Zimbabwe court to send a close aide to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to jail is an act of "politically motivated abuse", the Swedish EU presidency said.

The Finnish government aims to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels.

One of Iceland's three main banks that was nationalised last year has been acquired by Japanese and British banks.

• Iceland's vilified bankers have fled abroad

Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia reported a net loss of €559 million, its first shortfall in a decade, citing falling handset sales.

Better-than-expected company reports have lifted the Stockholm stock exchange to its highest level this year.

A year after Iceland's stunning economic collapse, most of the directors of its failed banks have fled abroad, tired of angry verbal attacks and the red paint daubed on their homes and cars.

After hours of heated debate a controversial wire tapping law was passed by the Swedish Parliament.

• Swedish court overturns file sharing ruling

OPINION “Banks and financial institutions do not manage to live in a capitalist system”, writes Tommy Jacobson, Swedish investment company executive.

Swedish telecom giant Ericsson’s network division is forced to slash costs by 50 percent to keep up with competition from China.

• Ericsson expected to rally

The British currency has fallen to its lowest level against the krona since 1996.

• “Swedes to become much richer with the euro”