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Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain, got through most of last week with some success (following allegations of sexual abuse) largely because his accusers kept quiet. On Monday, however, Cain faced a new set of political challenges, after an ex-employee of the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) educational foundation accused him of sexually inappropriate behavior 14 years ago. The Chicago woman told reporters that her encounter with Cain in 1997 was tawdry and aggressive.

Japan's Olympus admitted on Tuesday it hid losses on securities investments dating back to the 1980s, bowing to weeks of pressure to explain a series of baffling transactions that have put the future of the firm in doubt.

Greece, India, China and Thailand are home to the weakest national pension systems in the world.

Vodafone edged its full-year outlook higher on Tuesday. The results were boosted by strong growth in India.

Gold prices hovered above $1,790 on Tuesday, after soaring more than 2 percent in the previous session, supported by safe haven demand as Italy took center stage in the euro zone debt crisis.

The top after-market NASDAQ stock market gainers are: Solazyme, DealerTrack Holdings, Amedisys, Central European Distribution, and Kopin. The top after-market NASDAQ stock market losers are: Legacy Reserves, Urban Outfitters, Limelight Networks, Array BioPharma, and Savient Pharmaceuticals.

Societe Generale , France's second-biggest listed bankon, scrapped its 2011 dividend on Tuesday to help bolster capital when reporting quarterly profit fell sharply, hit by charges including Greek debt writedowns.

Japan's Olympus admitted for the first time on Tuesday that controversial acquisitions had been used to cover up losses on securities investments dating back to the 1980s, succumbing to weeks of pressure that has battered the company's share price.

Japan's Olympus admitted for the first time on Tuesday that controversial acquisitions had been used to cover up losses on securities investments dating back to the 1980s, succumbing to weeks of pressure that has battered the company's share price.

Scandal-hit Olympus revealed on Tuesday it had found that funds related to its purchase of British medical equipment maker Gyrus as well as three domestic firms were used to hide losses on securities investments dating back to the 1990s.

China's annual investment on railway construction could fall to about 500 billion yuan ($78.7 billion) a year, retreating from ambitious heights mapped out in a plan for the sector that has struggled with high debts, an official Chinese newspaper said on Tuesday.

Scandal-hit Olympus said on Tuesday it had found that funds related to its acquisition of British medical equipment maker Gyrus and of three domestic firms were used to cover losses on securities investments dating back to the 1990s.

Scandal-hit Olympus said on Tuesday it has discovered that funds related to its acquisition of British medical equipment maker Gyrus in 2008 and of three domestic firms were used to cover losses on securities investments dating back to the 1990s.

Morgan Stanley said a group of investors believes the bank may have sold defective mortgage bonds contained in more than $6 billion of trusts, signaling that it may face litigation over its involvement.

The Gotham West project is one of the largest developments currently underway in New York City. It was heralded at a Monday groundbreaking ceremony as a sign of the west side's rising stature as a desirable neighborhood.

Gold prices jumped two percent to hit their highest point in six weeks and regain, at least for now, its traditional role as a safe-haven investment.

Jefferies Group Inc the mid-sized investment bank trying to distance itself from bankrupt MF Global Holdings Ltd , said it reduced by half the gross positions in sovereign securities of certain European countries it had on Friday.

Putin and Gilani also reportedly discussed other important topics, including battling against terrorism and extremism.

The Nest - the so-called 'iPod of thermostats' - barely touched down on the marketplace before selling out; the smart thermostat is so popular that you won't be able to get your hands on one until early 2012.

Coeur d'Alene Mines Ltd. swung to a profit in the third quarter as silver prices doubled and gold production increased, said the company, the largest U.S.-based silver producer.

Stocks fell on Monday as investors stayed focused on Europe, this time on the political turmoil in debt-burdened Italy, as a reason to sell risky assets.