71.  European political leaders are hoping that adopting a common currency will provide the whole continent a much-needed boost.

72.  European Union finance ministers reached a partial accord on German demands for tight curbs on government borrowing to prevent inflation after the launch of a common currency.

73.  European Union finance ministers met to keep plans for a common currency on track amid signs sluggish growth will prevent most member states from qualifying.

74.  European Union finance ministers met to move ahead with plans for a common currency as Germany continued to lobby for heavy penalties on countries with lax fiscal policies.

75.  EU leaders have set a December deadline to complete a framework ensuring the stability of the common currency and maintaining economic discipline among the countries that do not join.

76.  Europe has focused a great deal of attention on the adoption of a common currency.

77.  Europe needs a common currency.

78.  European Union leaders pledged to map out within six months a plan to prevent nations left outside the future common currency zone from allowing their currencies to slide.

79.  Financial institutions will be free to trade, offer products and manage their accounts in the common currency from the beginning.

80.  Expectations that Italy will take part in the common currency have pushed down long-term Italian interest rates toward German levels, for years the lowest in Europe.