1.   Allegations that Prime Minister Alain Juppe wrongly obtained cheap housing when he was deputy mayor of Paris fanned talk he may soon be forced to resign.

2.   Also dragging on the dollar and fanning talk of a rate rise was a report showing a faster-than-expected rise in German import prices.

3.   Any signs the U.S. is growing too fast could fan talk of higher interest rates, which would increase the allure of some dollar-denominated assets.

4.   But maybe that is just fan talk.

5.   Reports last week showing rising retail sales, money supply and demand for manufactured goods fanned talk of a rate rise.

6.   That fanned talk the economy may be growing fast enough to spur the Federal Reserve to raise lending rates.

7.   That talk was fanned by comments from central bank officials.

8.   The move fanned talk more British banks and insurers are poised to merge.

9.   Yet, recent reports and comments are fanning talk German rates are on hold.