GOLD

Gold fell Monday in midday trading as investors decided to diversify their safe-haven opportunities by increasing their holdings of U.S. Treasuries, the dollar and the Japanese yen, said George Cocalis, senior market strategist for PFGBEST.

Workers at Peru's Cerro Verde mine, which yields 2 percent of the world's copper, agreed to end an indefinite strike they began last week, but may down tools again on Sept. 27, a union leader said Monday.

For the first time since 1985, European central banks have become net buyers of gold, according to data from the World Gold Council.

Toward fulfilling the mission to observe the most distant objects in the universe, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope was newly dressed with giant mirrors coated with gold - a spectacularly new technology fit for its grand mission.

Polyus Gold, Russia's top gold producer, reported a first half net profit of $206.8 million in the first half of 2011, nearly double year-on-year, due to a rise in the price and demand for the precious metal.

Newmont Mining Corp. plans to boost its dividend payments to shareholders, should gold prices remain above $1,700 an ounce, the company said on Monday.

Canada's Aurizon Mines said it has found two new high-grade gold zones at its Marban Block property in the Abitibi region of Quebec.

Gold prices held steady Monday, as concerns about Europe's sovereign debt crisis, its weak financial sector and divisions among leaders about how to solve the crises drove investors into safe-haven securities like the U.S. dollar.

India and China drove the second-quarter's robust demand for gold, the World Gold Council said in its analysis of industry trends during the three-month period.

Gold prices rallied on Monday after European policy makers failed to soothe fears of Greek default and contagion to other euro zone countries, prompting investors to seek refuge in the precious metal.

Canadian gold miner Agnico-Eagle Mines said it will buy Mexico-focused junior peer Grayd Resource Corp for about C$275 million($279.6 million) in cash and stock to focus on early stage gold projects.

More than a thousand workers have returned to Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold's strike-hit Indonesia mine, the company said on Monday, leading the union to say some production has restarted at the world's third-biggest copper mine.

The London Bullion Market Association is working out ways for refiners on its Good Delivery List to avoid falling foul of new regulations against conflict gold as a number one priority, LBMA chairman David Gornall told Reuters on Sunday.

Foreign investors in mineral-rich Mongolia hope parliament will revoke a controversial law banning mining in the country's river and forest areas when it convenes for its busy autumn session next month.

Stock index futures pointed to a sharply lower open on Wall Street on Monday, as renewed fears of a Greek debt default prompt investors to book some of last week's gains and turn to safer assets such as gold.

Television's Mad Men will bid for a fourth straight Emmy on Sunday, hoping to fend off the Prohibition-era gangsters of Boardwalk Empire and the warring kings and knights of Game of Thrones for the industry's top honors.

Here's a look at the complete list of 2011 Emmy nominations as well as predictions for who will win and who should win!

While Apple is delaying the launch of its much-awaited smartphone, rival manufacturers like Motorola, Samsung and HTC have brought out high-end Android smartphones with the latest features. However, one thing that Apple's delay indicates to is that the Cupertino-based tech giant might have been silently working on what seems to be a product to answer them all.

Adults can embrace their inner child with T-shirts by Lotty Dotty featuring the image of a paper doll who comes with her own detachable Velcro clothing to mix and match, changing the doll's outfit to fit the wearer's own personal fashion.

Solid evidence is often missing from the practice guidelines used by obstetrician-gynecologists across the U.S., a new study shows.

Gold rallied 1 percent on Friday in volatile trade, as the safe-haven bid for precious metals returned when a survey showed U.S. consumers gloomy about the economic outlook.