EUROPEAN UNION

Wall Street opened higher on Thursday as strong uptake by investors in Greece's debt swap fed optimism a deal could be completed by a deadline later in the day, staving off a messy default.

Wall Street opened higher on Thursday as strong uptake by investors in Greece's debt swap fed optimism a deal could be completed by a deadline later in the day, staving off a messy default.

Greece moved closer on Thursday to concluding a bond swap deal with private creditors that it desperately needs to stave off a messy default and buy time to repair its exhausted economy.

The European Central Bank is expected to keep interest rates on hold later on Thursday and signal that it has played its part in fighting the euro zone crisis after unleashing a dramatic sweep of measures that has unsettled some at the bank.

The European Central Bank is expected to keep interest rates on hold later on Thursday and signal that it has played its part in fighting the euro zone crisis after unleashing a dramatic sweep of measures that has unsettled some at the bank.

Campbell's announced that they will phase the controversial chemical BPA out from all of its cans. The announcement comes as the FDA considers a ban on BPA in all food and drink packages.

Greek tourism revenues could drop by up to five percent in 2012 due to a fall in pre-bookings from Germany, industry officials said Wednesday, denting hopes the key sector will help pull the country out of the Eurozone financial crisis.

A new European Union law preventing insurers discriminating on the basis of gender will see the cost of premiums for women across the continent rise when it comes into effect later this year.

Juppe’s stand would seem to contradict the more belligerent tone that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has taken with respect to the Iranians.

The comments come as more private investors signed up to a crucial debt swap deal set to make or break the country's continued use of the Euro and its membership of the EU.

Iran, which insists it seeks to develop atomic energy for purely peaceful purposes, has not set a date or locale for such talks.

A U.S. trade bill targeting Chinese imports goes against international rules and Beijing will not adjust the value of its currency to try to bridge a trade deficit that is Washington's problem to fix, China's commerce minister said on Wednesday.

The European Commission may on Wednesday tell Hungary it still has concerns over disputed laws, potentially further delaying new talks on an aid deal needed to keep the country solvent.

Asian shares fell for the third day in a row Wednesday as investors grew more risk averse, with renewed uncertainty over Greece's bailout and mounting worries about slowing global economies overshadowing support provided by ample liquidity.

Asian shares fell for a third day in a row Wednesday as investors grew more risk-averse, with renewed uncertainty over Greece's bailout and mounting worries about slowing global economies overshadowing support provided by ample liquidity.

Equities worldwide were in sell-off mode Tuesday, as nagging uncertainty about Greece, sobering news about China's economy and traders' realization that U.S. and European central banks might be finished with cash infusions all seemed to weigh on investors.

Gold fell 2 percent in heavy volume on Tuesday after breaching a key support, as renewed concerns about Greece's debt triggered economic fears, while some analysts say the metal looks oversold and poised for a rebound.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko quipped that it is better to be a dictator than gay – an apparent swipe at Germany’s openly homosexual foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle.

The matter also has great urgency given Israel’s warnings that it won't tolerate a nuclear Iran and that it may launch a pre-emptive military strike on Iranian atomic facilities.

Only 8.6 percent of Greeks polled held a favorable view of the Germans (who, not coincidentally, happen to be Athens’ largest creditor).

The much beleaguered people of Greece have apparently turned the bulk of their anger upon Germany, the most powerful economy in Europe.