GERMANY

Scientists in Germany and England claim they have invented a nasal spray that makes men more caring, sensitive and affectionate.

U.S. stocks rose on Thursday as investors welcomed a string of solid earnings reports, while debt-laden Greece appeared to be nearing a bailout deal, easing fears about the stability of the euro zone.

Volkswagen's first-quarter earnings were weighed down by a loss on its stake in iconic sports car maker Porsche AG, VW's finance chief said on Thursday.

Greece readied severe austerity measures on Thursday to secure a multi-billion-euro aid package and avoid debt default, providing relief to financial markets but drawing threats of a mighty battle from unions.

Greece readied severe austerity measures Thursday to secure a multi-billion euro aid package needed to avoid default, providing relief to financial markets but drawing threats of a mighty battle from Greek unions.

Greece readied severe austerity measures on Thursday to secure multi-billion dollar aid, providing relief to financial markets but drawing threats of a mighty battle from Greek unions.

German industrial conglomerate Siemens raised its profit outlook on the back of cost cuts and higher demand from factories that are cranking up production amidst an economic rebound.

ECB Governing Council member Axel Weber said on Thursday the impact of any Greek debt default on other states would be incalculable and urged quick approval of an aid package to prevent market upheaval and contagion to other states.

British insurer Standard Life beat forecasts with a 30 percent rise in first-quarter sales, helped by growth in corporate pensions and in its core retail products, as UK consumers shrugged off economic woes.

The euro inched higher on Thursday from a one-year low the previous day as senior European officials gave assurances that they were serious about helping Greece find a way out of its escalating debt crisis.

The euro steadied on Thursday, rebounding from a one-year low the previous day, as the Federal Reserve released a more upbeat view of the U.S. economy, offering some respite for markets as Europe continued to haggle over a bailout package for Greece.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday Greece's international bailout must be accelerated for the sake of the entire euro zone, as the far bigger Spanish economy suffered a credit rating downgrade.

SAP AG will start selling a long-delayed suite of Web-based software for running small to mid-sized businesses in July, a top company executive said on Wednesday.

The international bailout of Greece is likely to total up to 120 billion euros, a German lawmaker said on Wednesday after International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn held talks in Berlin.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, recovering from a steep sell-off in the previous session, as details emerged about an aid package for Greece that could calm fears over a possible sovereign debt default.

Greece will receive much more aid than initially expected, German lawmakers said on Wednesday after a briefing with the International Monetary Fund, reviving markets that had been spooked by fears of a Greek debt default.

German politicians came under pressure Wednesday to cast aside their doubts over a bailout for Greece, with markets increasingly alarmed that Athens may default on its debt and trigger a meltdown elsewhere in Europe.

Good morning dear traders, had the day before yesterday no direction, trading was real fun yesterday.

Fears that a planned rescue of Greece could stall and extend the financial crisis to other euro zone countries hit European markets on Wednesday as investors worried that Athens may default on its debt.

European Union President Herman Van Rompuy said on Wednesday that negotiations on Greece's debt are well on track, and there is no question of restructuring it.

Rating agency Standard and Poor's slashed Greek debt to junk status on Tuesday and also downgraded Portugal, as investors worried political pressures could block a multi-billion euro bailout of Greece.