Italian energy major ENI said on Monday it had uncovered a giant natural gas field off the coast of Mozambique bringing the total estimated reserves in the area to 40 trillion cubic feet (1.1 trillion cubic meters).

ENI said it had made the "giant natural gas discovery" in Area 4 of the offshore Mamba complex, where it is the operator with a 70-percent stake alongside Portugal's Galp Energia, South Korea's KOGAS and Mozambique's ENH.

Standard and Poor's warned Monday it may cut Russia's debt rating in case of a drop in the price of oil because of its "huge impact" on the economy and president-elect Vladimir Putin's campaign promises.

The global ratings agency said a $10 decline in the global price of oil would lead to a 1.4-percent of gross domestic product drop in government revenues.

European stocks diverged Monday, lifted partly by rising German business confidence, but Madrid was hit by a surprise electoral setback for the Spanish government amid new strains over the Eurozone debt crisis.

In late morning trade, London's FTSE 100 benchmark index of top shares rose 0.38 percent to 5,876.77 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.36 percent to 7,020.98, while in Paris the CAC 40 was flat at 3,476.24 points.

Oil prices fell slightly toward $106 a barrel Monday in Asia as investors mulled how much the conflict over Iran's nuclear program might disrupt global crude supplies.

Benchmark oil for May delivery was down 32 cents to $106.55 at midday Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.52 to $106.87 per barrel in New York on Friday.

Italy's Mario Monti sets off to South Korea, Japan and China this weekend with crucial labor reforms in the bag, to set out his vision of a new Italy and boost ties with Asia's dynamic economies.

The prime minister, who in November replaced Silvio Berlusconi as premier as Italy toppled on the edge of financial meltdown, is wasting no time strengthening relations with Asia's key financial players.

Profit-taking forced the dollar lower on Friday in a lackluster trading session.

The euro firmed to $1.3271 from $1.3196 in New York late on Thursday.

Facebook confirmed Friday that it has added a trove of IBM patents to its arsenal on an increasingly lawsuit-strewn technology battlefield.

Reports that Facebook bought 750 software and networking patents from IBM surfaced less than two weeks after struggling Internet pioneer Yahoo! accused the thriving young firm of infringing on 10 of its patents.

Since its founding in 1944, Washington has always chosen the head of the World Bank, and has filled the position each time with an American, without opposition.

But this year, for the first time two challengers are vying with the U.S. nominee to replace the outgoing Bank president, former U.S. diplomat Robert Zoellick.

India has barred its airlines from complying with the European Union's carbon taxation scheme, with the government saying no Indian carrier would share emissions data with the EU.

"Though the European Union has directed Indian carriers to submit emission details of their aircraft by March 31, 2012, no Indian carrier is submitting them in view of the position of the government," Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said Thursday in parliament.

European stock markets retreated on Friday, extending the week's heavy losses, but the euro rose against the dollar in the absence of major U.S. economic indicators, traders said.

London's FTSE 100 benchmark index of leading shares dipped 0.12 percent to 5,838.82 points approaching midday in the British capital.