Russia's Gazprom halves gas supplies to Belarus, stocks retreat on growth fears, consumer confidence up in Germany but down in Italy and Opel says it has a shot at 2011 profitabilty.

Spain's government approves a reform of its labour market; France announces plans to hike the retirement age; Opel says it's withdrawing requests for state aid and world stocks hit a one-month high.

13 Oct 09: Markets down - Germany fragile - GM talks - Inflation falls

The UK government's letter to Europe's competition chief challenges plans by auto parts maker Magna to buy carmaker Opel, as fears of job losses gather steam.

There may be up to 11,000 job losses with Opel, as Canadian-Austrian parts-maker Magna attempts to restructure the carmaker across its European plants.

1 Jun 09: Positive start to week on Asia Pacific markets - GM set to file for bankruptcy protection - Bank of England and ECB set to keep interest rates on hold - Pinewood Shepperton announces ...