MARKETS / FINANCE

Stocks rose on Friday after data showed the U.S. jobless rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low and as European policymakers again appeared ready to collaborate in tackling the region's debt crisis.

South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers said on Friday it had sealed a 2-year wage deal with Lonmin, averting a possible strike against the world's third largest platinum producer.

A gold ATM machine selling jewellery and 31,000-rupee gold coins, but for more than just window-shopping, it faces stiff competition from traditional jewellery shops.

In the latest in a drumbeat of dismal news, Research in Motion warned on Friday it would fall short of its financial targets after taking a huge charge to write down inventories on its languishing PlayBook tablet, and its shares tumbled more than 8 percent.

Cain, who has never held elected office, says he will make a decision before Monday on the future of his White House bid. Still on the campaign trail, Cain will reportedly sit down with his wife, Gloria, this weekend to discuss whether or not he drops out of the race amid allegations of sexual harassment and a long-term affair.

Federal deficits are complicating efforts by the Federal Reserve to help the economy, but using the central bank as a printing press to solve the problem is not an option, a top Fed official said on Friday.

The International Monetary Fund is happy to play a behind the scenes role in resolving the European debt crisis, which needs to be tackled with fiscal consolidation and structural reforms, the lender's chief Christine Lagarde said on Friday.

Palladium prices are on a tear, with the white metal rocketing up more than 10 percent in the last week on growing optimism about European and U.S. economic prospects.

Wall Street stocks were set for a higher open on Friday after data showed the U.S. jobless rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low and as policymakers again appeared to move a step closer to tackling Europe's debt crisis.

Stock index futures briefly extended their gains on Friday after the non-farm payroll report showed accelerated job creation in November and the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped.

Britain orchestrated this week's bold move by central banks to stave off a cash crunch in global markets, helping drive a plan that began to take shape around 10 days ago.

Stock index futures rose sharply on Friday after a report the European Central Bank was gearing up to lend money to the International Monetary Fund in a bid to ease the euro zone debt crisis.

The spectacular bull run in gold prices is unlikely to end soon, with bullion retaining its appeal in 2012 due to the uncertain global economy, analysts and industry officials said on Friday.

Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp said the U.S. federal mine regulator put its Jerritt Canyon mill on safety watch list for alleged violations.

Stock index futures rose sharply on Friday as German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her strong support for the euro and after a report the European Central Bank was gearing up to lend money to the International Monetary Fund in a bid to ease a euro zone debt crisis.

Teenage girls pose for pictures beside the latest arrival in Mumbai's modern Phoenix Mills mall -- a gold ATM machine selling jewellery and $600 gold coins -- but for more than just window-shopping, it faces stiff competition from traditional stores.

- Zynga Inc could raise $925 million, less than previously planned, in what is still one of the largest and most hotly anticipated Internet IPOs in years.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Friday for rapid EU treaty change to remedy the root causes of the euro zone's debt crisis but warned that Europeans faced a long, hard marathon to restore lost credibility.

Some big Japanese shareholders in disgraced firm Olympus Corp may support ex-CEO Michael Woodford's campaign to return to the helm -- a once-unthinkable step for investors that are more usually known for their discreet, hands-off approach.

The euro zone debt crisis cannot be solved overnight, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday, urging instead a long-term approach that relies on tougher fiscal rules being enshrined in European treaties.

Alibaba Group, China's largest e-commerce company, said on Friday it is beta-testing a new social-networking-product, as the firm expands outside e-commerce to seek other revenue streams.

JP Morgan Chase & Co has hired former Credit Suisse Group AG executive Neil Hounslow as head of its prime brokerage in Asia-Pacific as the Wall Street bank looks to service hedge funds investing in the region.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed on Friday to defend the euro, which she said was stronger than Germany's former deutschemark, but she warned that Europeans faced a long, hard marathon to restore lost credibility.

Stock index futures pointed to a sharply higher open for equities on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones and for the Nasdaq 100 up 1 to 1.1 percent ahead of a key jobs report.

Gold purchases in India, the world's largest bullion consumer, slowed down as the festival season ended, and business was lackluster elsewhere in Asia as concerns of global growth weighed on sentiment.

Senator Al Franken asked software maker Carrier IQ to respond to claims by an independent security researcher that its products collect and transmit potentially sensitive data about millions of mobile phone users.

Google Inc is pondering an Internet service to help consumers shop online and take advantage of same-day delivery, hoping to stanch the loss of Web traffic to Amazon.com Inc, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The trustee seeking money for Bernard Madoff's victims won the right to immediately appeal a ruling that took away more than $19 billion of his claims against JPMorgan Chase & Co, Madoff's main bank for two decades.

President Nicolas Sarkozy, under pressure from a spiraling euro zone debt crisis five months before a presidential election, told France on Thursday the euro bloc needs closer and stricter coordination of national budgets to survive.