EUROPEAN UNION

Gold

Gold in Demand Due to Bullion Price Drop

A sharp drop in bullion prices prompted some buying interest on Asia's physical market, but many remained reluctant to purchase large quantities as the year end approaches and the eurozone debt crisis threatens to further sink prices.

Stocks, Euro Hit as Possible Europe Downgrades Loom

Passersby walk in front of an electric board displaying movements of the Japanese yen's exchange rate against the U.S. dollar outside a brokerage in Tokyo
Asian stocks sank on Tuesday and the euro languished near a two-month low as investors took fright at the prospect of mass euro zone sovereign ratings downgrades after the outcome of a last chance European Union summit failed to convince markets.

ECB's Kranjec: EU Summit Moves 'Radical'

A sculpture showing the euro currency sign is seen in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt
Decisions reached by the European Union summit last week are radical and will lead to harmonization of policies which has not been possible so far, European Central Bank Governing Council Member Marko Kranjec said on Monday in a TV interview.
Euro coins are seen in this photo illustration taken in Rome

EU Debt Summit Fails to Satisfy Ratings Agencies

Investors were bracing for a possible mass downgrade of euro zone countries as soon as this week after EU leaders failed to come up with decisive measures to tackle the region's debt crisis.
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IMF's Chief of Mission Thomsen arrives at the finance ministry in Athens

Global Markets Fall Amid Concern Over EU Crisis Pact

But skepticism crept in as investors are unconvinced apparently that the Eurozone has solved its problems and finally has it right in the attempt to solve Europe's sovereign debt crisis. Credit rating agency Moody's summed it up best in a weekly credit report, perhaps, saying last week's summit and plan offers few new measures.
DuPont logo is pictured on research center in Meyrin near Geneva

Warnings bode ill for earnings

On top of euro-zone debt troubles, Wall Street now has to worry about sagging sales from Europe as a recession in the region seems more likely.
Hungary's Prime Minister Orban and Britain's Prime Minister Cameron attend a EU leaders summit in Brussels

The Day Europe Lost Patience with Britain: Friday?

It was billed as a summit to save the euro. It may be remembered as the day Europe lost patience with Britain, as most of the continent threw its lot in with European Union founding members France and Germany and committed to binding their economies ever more tightly.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban - Dec. 9, 2011

Hungary Aiming for EU/IMF Aid in Range from 10B to 15B Euros: Analysts

Hungary's government would like an aid package of between 10 billion euros and 15 billion euros from the European Union and International Monetary Fund to stabilize its economy, preferably on favorable terms, but it would be willing to accept a stricter deal, bank analysts said.
Delegates continue debating into the night during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP17) in Durban December 9, 2011.

Ministers Battle to Save U.N. Climate Talks

Ministers fought to save U.N. climate talks from collapse on Saturday, searching to narrow differences between rich and poor nations over how quickly to fight global warming.
Boddington Mine

Gold Edges up After Euro-Summit Appears to Succeed

Gold prices edged higher Friday after Eurozone leaders, in their eighth sovereign debt crisis summit this year, agreed to craft a treaty that will limit the ability of members to run-up unsustainable government debts.
Prime Minister Cameron leaves Downing Street in London

UK Isolated as Europe Moves Toward Fiscal Union

Europe divided on Friday in a historic rift over building a fiscal union to preserve the euro, with a large majority of countries led by Germany and France agreeing to move ahead with a separate treaty, leaving Britain isolated.
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Oil Trades below $98 on EU Summit Doubts

Crude oil prices dropped below $98 a barrel in Asian trade Friday as investors' hopes dimmed over the outcome of a crucial European Union summit later in the day.
Cameron and Sarkozy

EU Leaders Reach Fiscal Pact but Give up on Treaty Change

European leaders agreed on stricter budget rules for the euro zone Friday, but failed to secure changes to the EU treaty among all 27 member states, meaning a deal will instead have to involve just euro zone states and any others that want to join.
Environmental activists demonstrate outside the United Nations Climate Change conference (COP17) in Durban December 3, 2011. The protest march was part of a Global Day of Action to demand a fair climate change deal.

Support Grows for Durban Climate Deal

Support grew on Thursday for an EU plan to agree a global climate change pact with binding targets by 2015, after poor nations vulnerable to climate change forged alliances with developed countries.

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