German Bund futures pushed higher on Tuesday as investors fretted over Greek indecision on the strict terms of a new bailout deal vital to avert a chaotic default, keeping safe-haven government bonds well bid. Athens' protracted debt talks hit another snag on Monday after feuding political leaders postponed a decision on the bailout terms by

Greek leaders face crunch talks on Tuesday to agree on unpopular reforms to secure a 130-bln-euro ($170 bln) bailout and avert a chaotic debt default which could threaten its future in the euro zone. The leaders are caught between their increasingly frustrated partners in the European Union for failing to pass the reforms quickly and

Greek resistance to the strict conditions attached to a bailout fund on Tuesday sapped recent momentum in markets spurred by hopes the global economy is improving, and the euro fell on renewed fears of a messy debt default. The Australian dollar leapt to a six-month high but stocks turned negative after the central bank held

European Union Ministers, who met earlier this week at an informal Competitiveness Council in Copenhagen, discussed Horizon 2020 programme, which addresses research and innovation issues. Cyprus was represented at the meeting by Health Minister Stavros Malas, who will chair the Competitiveness Council in the second half of this year, when Cyprus will assume the six

Greece's coalition parties must tell the European Union on Monday whether they accept the painful terms of a new bailout deal as EU patience wears thin with political dithering in Athens over implementing reforms. Technocrat Prime Minister Lucas Papademos put on a brave face as he tried to get leaders of the three parties in

The euro took something of a hit on Monday as Greek coalition parties dithered on approving the terms for a new bailout with a deadline just hours away, raising worries the whole rescue scheme could flop. Greece's coalition members must tell the European Union by noon on Monday (1000 GMT) whether they accept the painful

Asian shares rose on Monday as surprisingly robust U.S. jobs data bolstered investors' risk appetite, but the euro sagged on worries over a lack of progress in Greek debt restructuring talks which are vital to containing the euro zone crisis. Financial spreadbetters expected Britain's FTSE 100, Germany's DAX and France's CAC-40 to open about 0.2-0.5%

Brent crude held above $114 a barrel on Monday as traders weighed the prospect of a supply disruption from Iran against the risk that a sovereign debt default by Greece could tip the euro zone into a demand-sapping recession. Market participants are watching to see if Greek coalition parties accept the painful terms of a

Euro zone governments may have to provide up to 145 billion euros to Athens under a second emergency loan programme for Greece, EU sources said on Friday, 15 billion euros more than previously expected. The extra funds are mainly required to help recapitalise the Greek banking sector once a deal is struck to write down