Germany's wise men panel of economic advisers warned the European Central Bank it risks losing credibility by buying the bonds of heavily-indebted euro zone states, and that monetary and fiscal policy are becoming worryingly blurred.
The euro zone debt crisis kicked into a new gear on Wednesday as Italian bond yields soared into levels widely deemed unsustainable, causing a sharp sell-off in stocks and the euro.
Gold prices slipped Wednesday as skyrocketing Italian government bond yields signaled the beginning of a possibly terminal phase in that nation's economy.
Stock index futures tumbled on Wednesday as a spike in Italian bond yields sparked fears the country will need a bailout, ratcheting up the region's debt crisis to another level.
Greek political leaders were scrambling Wednesday to agree on new prime minister to lead the country back from the brink of bankruptcy, after a plan to name a former European Central Bank official appeared to fall apart.
I believe that we are now close to an agreement with [the opposition party] New Democracy, Papandreou said during a Cabinet meeting
Financial markets held their breath on Tuesday as Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's reform-shy government teetered on the brink and debt-crippled Greece's leaders struggled to put together a national unity government.
Stock index futures rose on Tuesday as lawmakers in Rome readied for a crucial vote on public finances that marks the latest chapter in the euro zone debt crisis.
Greece, India, China and Thailand are home to the weakest national pension systems in the world.
Greek party leaders were struggling Tuesday to agree on a new prime minister, under pressure from the European Union to push through a bailout to save the country's finances and end the chaos threatening the euro.
Asian shares wiped earlier gains and fell anew Tuesday, weighed by concerns that surging bond yields could stifle debt-ridden Italy's fund-raising ability and throw the euro zone deeper into financial turmoil, while Greece struggled to pick a new leader.
Asian shares rose Tuesday, but gains were capped by concerns that surging bond yields could stifle debt-ridden Italy's fund-raising ability and throw the euro zone deeper into financial turmoil, while Greece struggled to pick a new leader.
Italian government bond yields soared to near 15-year highs, putting the Eurozone's third largest economy front and center of the region's debt crisis, despite scrambling efforts by policymakers to stem the growing contagion.
Gold and silver mining company stocks got a boost Monday from the rising price of their metals and a global resurgence of safe-haven investing.
Euro zone governments rushed to placate feverish bond markets on Monday as the 17-nation currency bloc's debt crisis threatened to accelerate out of control.
Germany Economy Minister Philipp Roesler said on Monday the country's gold reserves with the central bank cannot be touched, adding his voice to opposition to an idea reportedly discussed at the G20 summit of using reserves to boost euro zone bailout funds.
With Silvio Berlusconi's fate resting on a group of party rebels threatening to pull the rug from under his government next week, the Italian prime minister is using carrot and stick to try to win over the doubters and pull off yet another parliamentary escape.
After another week of confusion and turmoil in Europe, investors are ditching whatever hopes they once had for a conclusive solution to the debt crisis.
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou sealed a deal with the opposition Sunday night on a crisis coalition to approve an international bailout, but details remain thin despite an EU ultimatum for Athens to get serious about tackling its huge problems.
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou sealed a deal with the opposition on a crisis coalition to approve an international bailout, but details remain thin despite an EU ultimatum for Athens to get serious about tackling its huge problems.
After another week of confusion and turmoil in Europe, investors are ditching whatever hopes they once had for a conclusive solution to the debt crisis.
