SILVER

Gold struggled Wednesday to hold recent gains as growing concerns of an imminent Greek default offset hope that Chinese authorities will act to reverse the slowdown of the world's second-biggest economy.

India's bullion traders stayed away from placing fresh orders after a nearly 90 percent hike in gold import duty was announced earlier this week, while China's gold purchases slowed down ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

After trudging through a rough patch, production is finally set to begin on Disney's Johnny Depp-starring reboot of The Lone Ranger.

If their prospects continue to meet the projections its executives have set so far, 2012 will be a sterling year for Fortuna Silver Mines (NYSE:FSM), a Canada-based silver mining venture that currently operates two mines in Latin America.

He is Russia's third richest man and has been described as its most eligible bachelor.

India, the world's biggest consumer of bullion, has changed the import duty on gold to two percent of value from the earlier flat 300 rupees per 10 grams and that of silver to six percent of value from 1,500 rupees per kilogram, the government said.

Gold firmed in Europe on Monday, rising back above $1,640 an ounce, as a recovery in stock markets and the euro took some downward pressure off prices, with traders digesting last week's mass downgrade of euro zone countries from Standard & Poor's.

Lil Wayne launched his first clothing line Thursday in New York City. The hip-hop honcho's line of T-shirts and hats, called Trukfit, embraces pajama swag.

Gold rose to a one-month high on Thursday, as comments by the president of the European Central Bank on cheap money stabilizing the region's banking system extended the metal's gain to a third consecutive day.

Gold prices, which already this week broke above a key resistance level, barreled on Thursday toward a one-month high.

Gold prices extended gains into the second day on Wednesday, rising above the closely-watched 200-day moving average. The yellow metal is trading at around its highest level in a month, supported by strong physical demand from India and China.

While many Republicans have struggled to say why they support a given candidate, the Ron Paul supporters who filled a banquet hall in Manchester, N.H., on Tuesday were eager to talk in detail about his message.

Things have soured for Hostess Brands. The maker of lunchbox favorites like Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Hohos and Drakes snack cakes will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

As a tech giant, even though Apple didn't attend the CES 2012, its powerful influence hasn't waned.

Gold traders in India, the world's biggest buyer of bullion, stepped up buying for the upcoming wedding season, as gold prices stayed near the week's trough, giving silver a boost.

Strong demand from China and India as well as short covering Wednesday extended a gold price rally that has lifted the yellow metal six percent since the end of last month.

Gold hit a four-week high and broke above a key resistance on Wednesday, defying a stronger dollar, as the festering euro zone debt crisis lured investors to its safety and signs of strong demand from the world's top two consumers also supported.

Shares of silver mining companies rose on Tuesday as the price of the metal jumped, outperforming the rest of the market.

Gold prices rose 1.5 percent near a closely watched level Tuesday to a three-week high as the dollar weakened and stocks rallied.

Gold rose towards $1,640 an ounce on Tuesday and other precious metals rallied, with a rebound in the euro versus the dollar making dollar-priced assets more attractive to holders of other currencies, and after bullion breached a key chart level.

Compared to the year earlier period, silver production was up 25 percent for the quarter to 1.12 million ounces, while gold production was up 45 percent to 7,045 ounces.