Gold retreated on Thursday, easing from earlier highs near $1,200 an ounce, as the dollar pared losses against the euro after Wall Street equities opened lower in jittery trade ahead of Friday's U.S. payrolls data.
Renowned model Naomi Campbell has been granted special protection when she testifies at a UN war crimes tribunal on Thursday over claims that she was given a blood diamond by Liberia's former president Charles Taylor.
The court ruled that no one may photograph or film the supermodel as she enters or exits the court building, or while she is in it. She will also have a lawyer on hand to make sure she does not say anything incriminating.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has applied for banning media coverage surrounding her as she prepares to give testimony in the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Campbell is to appear in a court in The Hague on August 9 to answer questions about whether she was given a blood diamond by former Liberian dictator, Daily Mail online reported.
The international community is pressuring the Juba and Khartoum governments to speed up preparation for a vote on South Sudan's future - a decision that will be dominated by the fate of coveted oil resources -- but an expert on the African country criticizes the lack of understanding about Sudan.
Once again Europe has come to the rescue of gold, which has been witnessing a steady slide during the past few weeks. With Italy and Greece plunging into crisis again, the uncertainty looming over Europe has added to the fear among investors and gold prices are set to cash in on this panic with more demand from safe haven buying.
Gold firmed in Europe on Thursday as some buyers were tempted back to the market by the precious metal's fall to three-month lows, while the weaker dollar also helped support prices.
European investment remained lackluster as risk appetite sharpened, however, while the world's largest gold-backed exchange traded fund reported a hefty outflow on Wednesday.
Platinum supply is set to suffer setbacks in the coming months with two major producers facing problems in South Africa.
The recent news that Euro zone economy is slowly gaining strength has helped platinum and palladium prices show signs of recovery.
According to reports platinum prices may rise as gradual economic recovery will lead to increased demand for the auto-catalyst metal, but some of the euphoria that lifted forecasts earlier this year has evaporated after a hefty correction in May.
Gold rose briefly back above $1,200 an ounce on Thursday as financial markets rallied broadly, with U.S. stocks jumping 1 percent at the open, European shares higher and oil prices climbing 2.3 percent.
The precious metal quickly slipped back below that level, however, as it struggled to break out of the relatively tight range it has kept to ahead of the results of European bank stress tests on Friday.
Connecticut's attorney general, who is leading a 37-state probe of Google Inc's collection of data from private Wi-Fi networks, asked the Internet search leader on Wednesday if it had tested the software before using it.
Three telecoms firms have subscribed to a new undersea cable linking Nigeria and West Africa to Europe, paving the way for a transformation in internet access in Africa's fastest-growing telecoms market.
All diamond producing African antions are now rallying behind Zimbabwe threatening to leave the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme if Zimbabwe was not allowed to market its diamonds freely.
African countries, led by diamond rich Namibia, has already conveyed this decision to the KP.
Gold fell more than 1 percent to a two-month low at $1,178.40 an ounce on Monday as sharper appetite for assets seen as higher risk, like equities and industrial commodities, dented the metal's appeal as a haven.
Gold eased below $1,190 an ounce in Europe on Monday, extending the previous week's 1.5 percent fall, due to lower investment demand for the precious metal as appetite for other assets improved.
Spot gold was bid at $1,189.55 an ounce at 1112 GMT, against $1,193.10 late in New York on Friday. U.S. gold futures for August delivery rose $2.00 an ounce to $1,190.20.
Private equity firms TPG and Carlyle won a bidding war for Australian hospital owner Healthscope Ltd , agreeing to pay $1.73 billion in the country's largest buyout deal since 2007.
Top scorers Germany and winners Spain elicited the most positive reaction from online fans of this year's soccer World Cup, whilst France's player crisis made them the most maligned team of the tournament.
China's economy cooled in the second quarter, a slowdown that is likely to extend over the rest of the year as Beijing steers monetary and fiscal policy back to normal after a record credit surge to counter the global crisis.
China's economy cooled in the second quarter, a slowdown that is likely to extend over the rest of the year as Beijing steers monetary and fiscal policy back to normal after a record credit surge to counter the global crisis.
In all likelihood, India is set to go for commercial exploration of platinum following very promising discovery of the precious metal along the 150-km belt in Tamil Nadu and adjoining Kerala. Once the government takes a deeper exploration of 100-200 metres, the researchers expect the find to be even more substantial, which could lead to viable commercial exploration. Till now, the exploration has been carried out only up to 30 metres and it is very promising.
All miners in the world are now eyeing Zimbabwe. Reason: The country is witnessing major changes in the mining sector and Zimbabwe is one of the biggest sources of platinum group metals.
Zimbabwe is witnessing a revival in its mining sector, with major companies committing to a number of significant platinum projects. And, if Zimbabwe decides to tap its mining resources properly, the country will be on way to high growth.
Google Inc, which is at the heart of a controversy over its data collection methods, has decided to resume gathering images in four countries for its Street View mapping service.
Europe listed 91 banks taking part in financial stress tests -- including many regional banks where markets suspect most of the sore spots are -- as it seeks to restore confidence in the sector.
