CRUDE OIL

Gold rose on Wednesday, gaining from investor unease over the lack of a solution to the European debt crisis that dented other more industrial raw materials, such as crude oil and copper, ahead of further possibly weak U.S. data.

Asian stocks edged higher and a rally in the euro stalled on Wednesday, as investors looked for more signs that European leaders were tackling a debt crisis that threatens the financial system before committing bolder market bets

A Libyan commander leading the attack on Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte said on Tuesday he was in talks with elders inside the city about a truce, but the head of another anti-Gaddafi unit rejected negotiations.

European stock index futures rose sharply on Tuesday, after Asian shares rebounded from multi-month lows and as the euro clung to gains on hopes that euro zone officials will act to corral Greece's debt woes and prevent a financial meltdown.

Asian shares rebounded and the euro clung to gains on Tuesday on hopes that euro zone officials will act to corral Greece's debt woes and prevent another full-blown banking crisis.

Asian shares rose on Tuesday on hopes that euro zone officials will act to corral Greece's debt woes and prevent another full-blown banking crisis, but the euro failed to hold on to all its gains.

Commodities bounced off lows on Monday after one of the biggest sell-offs since the 2008 financial crisis turned into cautious buying on hopes that Europe would prevent its debt crisis from dragging down the global economy.

World stocks came off their lows and the euro inched up from an earlier 10-year trough against the yen on Monday as speculation that the European Central Bank might cut interest rates to help the economy countered concern over the euro zone debt crisis.

World stocks fell toward the previous week's 14-month low on Monday and the euro hit a 10-year low against the yen as doubts grew over how effective Europe's latest crisis-battling steps would be in containing the continent's sovereign debt problems.

World stocks came off 14-month lows on Friday on expectations policymakers would take further action to ease the Eurozone debt crisis, while commodities fell broadly on worries about a global economic slump.

European shares were poised to claw their way off 26-month lows on Friday, but Asian stocks slid on fears of renewed recession in the developed world and as a pledge from the G20 to preserve financial stability left investors largely unimpressed.

Commodity investors fled for the exits on Thursday in a panic over raw materials demand, unconvinced that Federal Reserve action will stem a global economic slowdown that shows signs of infecting China and Germany.

Commodities skidded on Thursday as investors scrambled to liquidate after a U.S. Federal Reserve warning, coupled with signs of slower growth in China and Europe, stoked worries about slowing demand for fuels and metals.

Carnivorous pitcher plants have inspired the creation of a slippery surface that is not only more slippery than Teflon but has self-healing and self-cleaning qualities, scientists of Harvard University said.

A study by U.S. researchers has found an energy-efficient way to create hydrogen just using some fresh water, salt water and membranes. Self-powered cells, fueled by bacteria, can produce an abundant supply of hydrogen.

Toronto's main stock index rebounded on Tuesday, after touching a one-week low in the previous session, as bargain-hunters returned to the market and gold miners rose along with bullion prices.

Finally, there's some good news for U.S. motorists. Gas prices, down about 10 cents per gallon in the past month to an average of $3.60 per gallon for regular unleaded, are likely to continue to decline, assuming no oil disruptions from major oil producers or a large storm in the Gulf of Mexico.

Nigeria's 2012 budget will be based on average oil production of 2.48 million barrels per day and a benchmark price of $75 dollars per barrel, the country's finance minister said on Friday.

State-run oil firms will raise petrol prices by nearly 5 percent from Friday, a move that eases their subsidy burden but adds near-term pressure to stubbornly high inflation in Asia's third-largest economy.

Morocco's trade deficit expanded 22.6 percent in the January-August period from a year ago to 122.2 billion dirhams due mainly to higher spending on energy imports, official data showed on Thursday.

Asian stocks, U.S. index futures and the euro fell on Wednesday as investors remained unconvinced that euro zone leaders have a coherent plan to tackle the bloc's sovereign debt problems, which many fear could trigger a new banking crisis.