Asian stocks bounced on Thursday after tentative steps by euro zone policymakers to tackle a crippling debt crisis, but investors remained wary that obstacles the bloc's leaders face could weigh on the euro and Asian currencies in the medium term.
The Italian parliament gave final approval on Wednesday to a much-altered austerity plan aimed at stemming a debt crisis engulfing the euro zone's third largest economy.
Thirty people died in Angola on Wednesday when a military plane crashed shortly after take off. Six people survived the accident with moderate to severe burns.
The European Union wants more clarity from Beijing on increased export quotas for rare earth minerals from dominant producer China in meetings next month and December, Europe's trade chief said.
China always has confidence in the euro, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said at a China-Europe forum on Wednesday, offering reassurance that China will continue to invest in Europe.
A spokesman for Merkel said that she and Sarkozy emphasized that Athens must dutifully adhere to its deficit-reduction goals.
Brazil's proposal to support the crisis-hit euro zone garnered only lukewarm support from fellow BRICS countries on Wednesday, as doubts mounted whether the five emerging market powers have the political will or financial clout to throw a lifeline to Europe.
Moody's cut the credit ratings of two French banks on Wednesday because of their exposure to Greece's debt, highlighting growing risks to Europe's financial sector from a deepening euro zone sovereign debt crisis.
Gold prices settled moderately lower Wednesday after a string of European developments during the trading session boosted investor hope that the continent's sovereign debt crisis is finally getting the attention it requires.
The United States gave Libya's new rulers a very visible show of support on Wednesday when a senior envoy visited the capital and praised their efforts to assert control of armed groups three weeks after Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown.
Canada should see modest economic growth and avoid a double-dip recession, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said on Wednesday.
Gold extended its losses Wednesday after Italian lawmakers approved a major austerity program, the latest in a string of signs that Europe's debt crises may be finally getting the attention they deserve.
Gold prices fell Wednesday as stock markets in Europe posted gains from European Commission plans to push euro zone bonds and China's premier expressed support for struggling European countries.
Greece's exit from the euro zone would inflict untold damage on Europe's economy, further burnish the attractiveness of a rising Asia and hasten the emergence of China's yuan as a global currency.
After an explosion at a Nuclear power plant in France on Monday, President Nicholas Sarkozy has remained mum. Sarkozy is perhaps the world's biggest political proponent of nuclear energy, and he has repeatedly insisted that France's plants are the safest, most modern in the world.
Samsung is alleging that its Cupertino-based rival's iPhone and iPad devices infringe on three Samsung-owned patents.
Gold and gold receivables held by euro zone central banks rose by 1 million euros to 363.249 billion euros in the week ending Sept. 9, the European Central Bank said on Tuesday.
U.S. investors remained concerned that Europe's leaders are not getting ahead of the Greek crisis, which could result in a full-fledged Europe bank crisis, even as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while not committing more German funds to possible intervention, again dismissed talk of a Greek default.
Two workers were reportedly exposed to radiation when a fire broke out at the Marcoule nuclear power plant in the south of France on Monday. One person was killed and another four injured.
Growing fears of a Greek default sent a hurricane through heavily exposed French banks on Monday and hit the euro as investor confidence in the European currency area's ability to surmount a sovereign debt crisis ebbed.
In France, a nuclear explosion has killed one and injured four more. The event comes on the heels of a re-investment in nuclear energy by President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Aisling McNiffe's voice crackles when she talks about her son's school prospects.
