e Yugoslavia

Damascus - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said Monday he did not believe the reported US commando raid in Syria would affect Israel.

Paris - A high-speed TGV train en route to Paris was delayed for over two hours after a passenger got his arm stuck in the toilet, France Info radio reported on Monday.

Frankfurt - European shares opened sharply down Monday after a steep fall in stocks across Asia signalled another tumultuous week on global bourses.

London - The Financial Times Share Index opened 100 points down at 3,883.36 points in London Monday, taking its lead from sharp falls on Asian markets.

London - Britain’s leading Financial Times newspaper Monday threw its weight behind US presidential candidate Barack Obama, saying the campaign had shown that the Democrat was the “right choice” to lead the US.

Tel Aviv - Israel’s ruling Kadima party will narrowly edge out its main rival in elections likely to be held early next year, polls in two Israeli dailies found Monday, a day after Kadima leader Tzipi Livni recommended President Shimon Peres call for an early poll.

Stockholm - Swedish home appliance maker Electrolux on Monday reported higher third-quarter income 2008 but said the financial crisis was now affecting sales.

Jerusalem - Israel’s ruling Kadima party submitted a bill Monday to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections within three months, a day after party leader Tzipi Livni announced she was giving up efforts to form a new government.

Stockholm - Swedish banking group Swedbank on Monday said it planned to raise 12.4 billion kronor (1.51 billion dollars) by issuing new shares.

Damascus - Syria on Monday condemned a helicopter-borne commando raid on a remote border village by US forces in which it said eight civilians, including four children, were killed.