The FINANCIAL -- Iran has no intention of blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the sea route through which about a fifth of the world's oil is shipped, a senior Iranian diplomat said Friday, downplaying threats by others in Tehran.

The FINANCIAL -- Industry Minister Corrado Passera Monday said the situation of natural gas supplies to Italy is critical, but well monitored as domestic consumption reached record high from the bitter cold and after supplies from Russian were lower than requested.

The FINANCIAL -- GDF Suez SA is keen to buy U.K.-based BG Group PLC's 65% stake in Gujarat Gas Co. (523477.BY), the Economic Times reported Monday, citing sources it didn't name.

The FINANCIAL -- Madura Fashion & Lifestyle, a division of Aditya Birla Nuvo, is in talks with Giorgio Armani SpA and Spanish investment firm Torreal-controlled men's clothing company Hackett Ltd. to expand its presence in the super-premium fashion segment, the Times of India reported Monday, from London Stock Exchange.