EUROPEAN UNION

Most Asian markets rose Wednesday but investors remained watchful about the the debt crisis looming over the euro zone.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, a 540-year-old financial institution commonly called Europe's oldest bank, was the newest Continental house of finance to receive a government bailout, after the Italian Treasury granted the bank a ?3.9 billion ($4.87 billion) credit lifeline Tuesday. The rescue came even though Monte dei Paschi is seen as basically insolvent by the markets and is led by a banker currently under criminal indictment.

According to the Economic and Social Research Institute's latest Perinatal Statistics Report, Ireland's birth rate increased nearly 30 percent over the past ten years, equating to about 17,000 more births in 2010 than ten years prior.

Spain's short-term borrowing costs almost tripled during Tuesday's debt auction, a day after Moody's downgraded the country's banking system.

At stake, according to analysts, is nothing less than the future of the euro and possibly of the European Union itself, with markets and global leaders demanding tangible solutions to Europe's rapidly degenerating debt crisis.

Asian Stock markets mostly declined Tuesday as market participants continued to doubt the ability of European leaders in tackling the debt crisis at a European summit later this week.

U.S. stock index futures point to a slightly higher opening Tuesday after Monday's sell-off, but investors remain watchful as euro zone debt crisis concerns linger.

Crude oil futures declined during Asian trading hours Tuesday as sentiment was dampened on concerns that faltering global growth could lead to lower oil demand.

Most Asian markets fell Tuesday as investor sentiments continued to be dragged down by concerns over the debt crisis looming over the euro zone.

Russia has been widely criticized for its friendly relations with both nations, but Putin is hoping to raise his status in the region.

Regardless of how the NATO meetings turn out, relations between Turkey and Syria (once strong allies) have plunged to a new all-time low.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower opening Monday as investors continued to worry about the debt crisis in the euro zone and the faltering global economy.

Asian stock markets mostly declined Monday as fears of a further global slowdown and economic headwinds from the euro zone continued to weigh on the sentiment.

Most Asian markets fell Monday as investor sentiment continued to be dragged down by concerns over the looming debt crisis in the euro zone.

Due to health issues, neither Greece's new prime minister, Antonis Samaras, nor the country's new finance minister, Vassilis Rapanos, will attend the European Union summit in Brussels scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

The market sentiment is likely to remain subdued in the coming week as increasing expectations of a further global slowdown and economic headwinds from the euro zone will continue to weigh.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel resisted pressure on Friday for common euro zone bonds or a more flexible use of Europe's rescue funds but agreed with leaders of France, Italy and Spain on a ?130 billion ($156 billion) package to revive growth.

Wrapping up some fairly important Canadian data this week, CPI numbers were released earlier this morning and showed that inflationary pressures are easing somewhat, continuing to stay of the south side of the Bank of Canada's target.

Russia also has a vested interest in maintaining its decades-old relationship with Syria, which is in large part built on weapons and defense contracts.

Iran said a massive cyberattack has been detected on its nuclear facilities and that it believes U.S., Israel and Great Britain are behind it.

Greek officials will present the proposed revisions at a euro zone finance ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday.