Worried about record-high inflation, the European Central Bank may have significantly raised the threshold where it might staunch bond market sell-offs in Italy and other weaker euro bloc countries.

Euronext's integration of Borsa Italiana is reaping faster than expected savings for potential acquisitions, though no "actionable" target has been identified, the pan-European exchange's CEO Stephane Boujnah said on Thursday.

TORONTO (Reuters) -Manulife Financial Corp and Sun Life Financial, Canada's two biggest life insurers, are increasing premiums to offset higher costs this year from inflation that has risen to a three-decade high, executives said on Thursday.

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's Vodafone on Thursday rejected a preliminary approach for its Italian business from France's Iliad and Apax Partners worth more than 11 billion euros, the first public skirmish in what could be a new wave of European telecoms deal making.

LONDON (Reuters) -Euronext's integration of Borsa Italiana is reaping savings faster than expected for potential acquisitions, though no "actionable" target has been identified, the pan-European exchange's CEO Stephane Boujnah said on Thursday.

BEIJING/VILNIUS (Reuters) -China suspended imports of beef, dairy and beer from Lithuania this week, Lithuania's veterinary control agency said on Thursday, amid a growing trade dispute over the Baltic nation's relations with Taiwan.