GERMANY

The Italian government was forced to pay out a record 6.5 percent in interest rate at an auction on Friday, thereby putting even more pressure on the nascent government of Prime Minister Mario Monti.

Gold prices fell Friday in what appeared to be their second straight weekly retreat in the face of a Eurozone crisis, which after two years has yet to be contained, let alone solved, and now threatens Europe's financial liquidity.

Mark Pearson, head of the OECD health division attributes the higher prices to lack of ‘an effective government mechanism that acts to keep prices down.’ That's simply not there in the U.S. system. So it's a structural defect, he said.

Toronto's main stock index hit a seven-week low on Thursday morning, as materials and financial issues retreated in response to euro zone debt fears, sparked by rising German government bond yields.

Exports of Swiss luxury watches, particularly in Asia have reached an all-time high with China emerging as a major market for high-end products.

The leaders of France and Germany will voice their support for new Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti at a tripartite meeting on Thursday, seeking to stem the risk of the debt crisis gripping the heart of the euro zone.

When gamers take the wraps off the new BioShock video game next year, they should not be surprised if parts of the game remind them of the Occupy Wall Street protests.

U.S. consumer spending growth slowed in October and business capital investment plans were weak, raising questions about expectations for solid economic performance in the fourth quarter.

The Austrian banking system is on fire: getting singed not only by the heat of the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, but also by the immolation of an Eastern European asset bubble the banks had been underwriting for a decade. Stumbling, contradictory guidance from the management of several banks has not helped either. And a stalling Austrian economy is only likely to make things worse

Johannesburg stocks fell to their lowest close in a month on Wednesday, as weak Chinese factory data sparked concerns about demand from the world's second-largest economy, hitting miner Assore and luxury good maker Richemont.

The world's largest backer of the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria said on Wednesday it was cutting new grants for countries battling the diseases and bringing in a new manager to ensure better administration.

Russia has again warned the U.S. about deploying a missile defense system in Europe, with President Dmitry Medvedev saying his nation will deploy new missiles aimed at the shield if the U.S. goes forward with its plan.

Nokia Siemens Networks plans to eliminate 17,000 jobs worldwide by the end of 2013 in an effort to streamline business operations, the company announced Wednesday.

The parent corporations are considering a public float of Nokia Siemens shares in order to dispose of the struggling subsidiary.

A disastrous German bond sale on Wednesday sparked fears that Europe's debt crisis was even beginning to threaten Berlin, with the leaders of the euro zone's two strongest economies still firmly at odds over a longer-term structural solution.

Stock index futures were lower on Wednesday as worries about the euro zone crisis and weak data from China weighed on investor sentiment, putting the S&P 500 on track for a sixth day of losses.

World stocks hit their lowest in six weeks on Wednesday and crude prices fell after and manufacturing in regional heavyweight Germany contracted for a second straight month in November, and at a faster rate, as export demand slumped.

However, the statement makes no mention of sanctions.

Erdogan referred pointedly to remarks Assad recently made that he would fight to the death to remain in power.

The Eurozone crisis, which has intensified since early 2010, shows no signs of abating and has put several member countries on the brink of default.

Manchester United will welcome Portuguese giants Benfica at Old Trafford, in their Uefa Champions League group stage encounter.