GERMANY

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday, indicating stocks will climb for a fourth straight session as investors remained encouraged by progress toward plans to ease the euro zone's debt woes.

Gold prices slipped modestly Wednesday after posting small overnight gains as investors sought a safe-haven for their money, traders picked up bargains and Asian buyers purchased coins, bars and jewelry.

Greece's lenders sent a team to Athens on Wednesday to inspect a government austerity plan they want implemented in exchange for aid, while Germany suggested a new bailout may be renegotiated as debate raged over the size of losses bondholders should face.

Europe's never-ending debt saga has investors girding for volatile, unsteady currency markets for years to come.

Investor hopes for a bigger bailout fund for euro zone debtors gave way to worries about the details Wednesday, sending European shares lower and ending a three-session rally.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged the European Central Bank to do everything in its power to maintain financial stability in the euro zone, saying the EU faced the biggest challenge in its 50-year history.

Greece faced a new test in its attempt to avoid bankruptcy on Wednesday as international auditors headed for Athens, while Germany suggested a new bailout may be renegotiated as argument rages over whether private creditors should take bigger losses.

Greece faced a new test in its attempt to avoid bankruptcy on Wednesday as international auditors headed for Athens, while Germany suggested a new bailout may be renegotiated as argument rages over whether private creditors should take bigger losses.

Asian stocks edged higher and a rally in the euro stalled on Wednesday, as investors looked for more signs that European leaders were tackling a debt crisis that threatens the financial system before committing bolder market bets

Gold slipped 1 percent in volatile trade on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar regained strength on doubts over the progress of Europe's efforts to tackle the region's debt crisis, while this week's brutal correction also kept investors at bay.

Greece faced a new hurdle in its attempt to avoid bankruptcy on Wednesday as international auditors headed to the Mediterranean state to scrutinize new austerity measures they must endorse for Athens to stay afloat.

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Gold prices are plunging in September partly because struggling Eurozone sovereign states are dumping [it] in the open market, speculated Michael Pento, president of Pento Portfolio Strategies.

Oktoberfest 2011 ends in six days, with the final keg being tapped on Monday, Oct. 3. Hottest pictures below.

The African regional trade bloc Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is considering issuing a regional infrastructure bond and is seeking advisers, a senior trade official said on Tuesday.

Africa is starting to appear on the radar screens of western retailers as they look for the next growth opportunity in emerging markets while having to cope with subdued consumer spending at home.

Gold prices rose more than 4 percent Tuesday, breaking a three-day losing streak, on optimism that Germany this week will approve an expansion of Europe's bailout fund and a decline in the U.S. dollar.

Europe's biggest defense contractor BAE Systems said it will axe up to 3,000 jobs in Britain as cuts to global defense budgets hit orders for its fighter jets.

World stocks rose for a third straight session on Tuesday, with European shares up 2 percent, as investors took comfort from reports that officials were working to add to measures to calm the euro zone debt crisis.

European stock index futures rose sharply on Tuesday, after Asian shares rebounded from multi-month lows and as the euro clung to gains on hopes that euro zone officials will act to corral Greece's debt woes and prevent a financial meltdown.

Lenovo Group Ltd, the world's No.3 PC brand, has entered into a $300 million venture with contract laptop PC maker Compal Electronics Inc in eastern China, the companies said, pushing their shares up sharply.