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Asia stocks mixed after Europe credit downgrade (AP)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:28:10 +0100

AP - Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday after ratings agency Moody's slapped credit downgrades on six European Union countries due to the region's weak economic outlook and uncertain attempts to implement reforms.

Insight: Wall St commodity talent wars - Return of the merchants (Reuters)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:13:26 +0100

Reuters - When it comes to hiring top commodity traders, what goes around comes around. Wall Street, after years of poaching the best and brightest from specialized commodity firms, is losing the war to keep the essential traders who know how to arbitrage copper or store crude .

Greece faces tough job to seal rescue (Reuters)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:49:08 +0100

Reuters - Greece has admitted it still faces a tough job in persuading the European Union and IMF to save it from bankruptcy even after parliament approved savage extra budget cuts, provoking a night of looting and burning in central Athens.

House GOP have backup on payroll tax (AP)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:43:03 +0100

AP - In an abrupt about-face, House GOP leaders announced Monday that they are willing to extend the two percentage point cut in the payroll tax through the end of the year and add the approximately $100 billion cost to the nation's $15 trillion-plus debt.

Greece surveys riot damage after austerity vote (AP)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:34:15 +0100

AP - Firefighters doused smoldering buildings and cleanup crews swept rubble from the streets of central Athens on Monday following a night of rioting during which lawmakers approved harsh new austerity measures demanded by bailout creditors to save the nation from bankruptcy.

Oil falls toward $100 ahead of US supply data (AP)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:11:31 +0100

AP - Oil prices fell toward $100 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as investors look to the latest U.S. crude supply figures for clues about demand strength.

Google gets U.S., EU nod to buy Motorola Mobility (Reuters)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:04:56 +0100

Reuters - U.S. and European regulators approved Google Inc's $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc and said they would keep a sharp eye on the web search giant to ensure patents critical to the telecommunications industry would be licensed at fair prices.

Greece faces further obstacles in bailout deal (AP)

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:04:37 +0100

AP - Greece faces further hurdles and delays before it can receive a second, euro130 billion ($171 billion) bailout despite its lawmakers voting through more austerity measures in the face of violent protests.

EU open to talks but won't scrap carbon tax (AP)

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:53:45 +0100

AP - Europe is willing to discuss its new carbon emissions tax for airlines with disgruntled governments but has no plans to scrap the levy, top EU officials said Monday.

Relatives toss roses into sea near Italian ship (AP)

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:51:26 +0100

AP - Tossing bouquets of red roses into the sea, the relatives of people still missing one month after the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster mourned in a private tribute Monday.