PORTUGAL

Political turmoil in Portugal and looming elections in other countries are expected to prevent a summit of European Union leaders this week from taking tough decisions to address the region's debt crisis.

China still sees risks from euro-zone debt problems and has increased its holdings of European government bonds to help the region, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Brent crude fell for a second day on Thursday, shedding as much as 0.4 percent toward $115, after the resignation of Portugal's prime minister rekindled euro-zone concerns, prompting oil traders to unwind long positions and take profits.

Brent crude fell for a second day on Thursday, shedding as much as 0.4 percent toward $115, after the resignation of Portugal's prime minister rekindled euro-zone concerns, prompting oil traders to unwind long positions and take profits.

Brent crude fell for a second day on Thursday, shedding as much as 0.5 percent toward $115, after the resignation of Portugal's prime minister rekindled euro-zone concerns, prompting oil traders to unwind long positions and take profits.

European Union leaders are unlikely to take a decision on how to strengthen the euro zone's bailout fund until June, undermining market confidence and possibly prolonging the region's debt crisis.

U.S. stocks staged an afternoon rally Wednesday, led by materials companies, though investors continued to eye several overseas trouble spots warily.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 89 points, or 0.7%, to 12108 in late afternoon trade, led by Alcoa, which rose 3.3%. The gains were kept in check by a 1.5% decline for Bank of America, which said the Federal Reserve didn't allow it to boost its dividend. Wal-Mart Stores also was weak, falling 0.8%, as was DuPont, down 0.4%.

U.S. stocks extended their losses on Wednesday after official data showed that sales of single-family houses in the US fell unexpectedly in February.

Ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed he will join an English club after his time at his current club Real Madrid despite describing the Spanish giants as the biggest club in the world.

U.S. stocks declined in early trade on Wednesday as renewed concerns over the euro zone’s sovereign debt crisis and higher than expected rebuilding costs in Japan weighed on the sentiment.

Wall Street was poised for a lower open on Wednesday as concerns over debt issues in the euro zone, Japan's nuclear crisis and violence in the Middle East and North Africa persisted.

Corrects headline to show index futures were down

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday, after modest losses in the previous session, as worry continued over debt issues in the euro zone, Japan's nuclear crisis and violence in the Middle East and North Africa.

Oil steadied on Wednesday due to concerns that unrest in Yemen may spill over into neighboring countries in the oil rich Middle East Gulf region, while an expected increase in U.S. crude inventories capped gains prices.

Portugal's parliament is expected to reject government austerity measures on Wednesday, setting the stage for the possible collapse of the minority Socialist administration a day before a European summit.

Uncertainty over the human and economic damage inflicted by Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis weighed on Asia stocks on Wednesday, and the euro eased ahead of a parliamentary vote in Portugal that could see the government fall.

U.S. stocks pulled back in a sleepy session Tuesday as investors paused after a three day rally that helped the market regain ground after several weeks dominated by unrest in the Middle East and Japan's earthquake.

Apple said on Tuesday the new version of its game-changing tablet, the iPad 2, will go on sale in as many as 25 countries this Friday, putting an end to speculation over the device's international launch and rumors about possible supply constraints.

The Euro price of Gold Bullion today slipped back to last week's finish just below €32,000 per kilo - reversing Monday's 1.0% rise - as the single currency hit new 6-month highs to the Dollar above $1.4240.

Investors already bruised by the Japan disaster now confront military air strikes on Libya and the prospect of rising oil prices, making it likely they will postpone any bold investment decisions.

Investors already bruised by the Japan disaster now confront military air strikes on Libya and the prospect of rising oil prices, making it likely they will postpone any bold investment decisions.