PORTUGAL

Brent crude oil fell on Tuesday, slipping below $120 a barrel for the first time in two weeks, pressured by concern about the economic outlook and that high prices could erode demand.

Gold prices rallied to a record high $1,497.20 an ounce on Monday after Standard & Poor's downgraded its credit outlook for the United States and as investors worried about debt in the euro zone and inflation in China.

Oil fell more than $2 on Monday after ratings agency S&P cut its U.S. credit outlook to negative, adding to losses sparked by top exporter Saudi Arabia saying weak demand had forced it to reduce crude output.

Gold stayed above $1480 per ounce in Asian and European trading, and then experienced a sudden spike $15 upwards to new record prices yet again at the beginning of the New York trading session. Prices take support from worries over euro zone debt and inflation in Asia after China opted to raise reserve requirements again.

A crucial new phase of Portugal's bailout negotiations began under a cloud on Monday after an anti-euro party in Finland that has vowed to derail the pending rescue scored strong gains in an election.

The success of a far-right party in Finland’s general election may ultimately endanger the European Union’s (EU) financial bailout of Portugal.

The euro fell on Monday and stocks were weaker as the rise of a euro-skeptic party in Finland added another potential hurdle to solving the euro zone's debt problems.

Greece has no plans to restructure its debt and the International Monetary Fund is not considering a plan, the country's finance minister, George Papaconstantinou, said on Saturday.

Greece has no plans to restructure its debt and the International Monetary Fund is not considering a plan, the country's finance minister, George Papaconstantinou, said on Saturday.

Inflation accelerated in Asia and Europe in March while the United States bucked the global trend with underlying price pressures largely in check, leaving monetary policy on diverging paths around the world.

Inflation accelerated in Asia and Europe in March while the United States bucked the global trend with underlying price pressures largely in check, leaving monetary policy on diverging paths around the world.

Members of NATO are deeply divided over how much they want to participate in the military campaign in Libya. In fact, out of the 28 nations in the alliance, only five are actually conducting air strikes on the North African country, while 13 members (almost half) are offering no support to the mission at all.

Faced with its worst financial situation in over 30 years, Portugal avoided default on Friday by paying off maturing 2005 bonds.

Gold jumps to new record highs over $1480 US dollar per ounce on Friday as Asian demand is unstoppable. Silver is holding near its earlier 31-year high at $42.64.

Moody's cut Ireland's sovereign rating by two notches to the verge of junk status on Friday and kept its outlook on negative, pushing the euro lower and adding to renewed pressure on the euro zone's weaker countries.

China and India reported higher-than-expected inflation readings on Friday, giving fresh ammunition to central bankers and investors alike who are worried about mounting price pressures in the global economy.

The market is incredibly fickle, especially for fundamental analysis-driven traders and analysts. The frustrating thing is that what mattered just a few months ago may not mean anything at all today.

Consumer goods giants Unilever and Procter & Gamble were fined 315.2 million euros ($456 million) by EU regulators on Wednesday for fixing washing powder prices in eight EU countries.

The world's banks face a $3.6 trillion wall of maturing debt in the next two years and must compete with debt-laden governments to secure financing, the IMF warned on Wednesday.

Consumer goods giants Unilever and Procter & Gamble were fined 315.2 million euros ($456 million) by EU regulators on Wednesday for fixing washing powder prices in eight EU countries.

Consumer goods giants Unilever and Procter & Gamble were fined 315.2 million euros ($456 million) by EU regulators on Wednesday for fixing washing powder prices in eight EU countries.