China urges US to ensure inviolability of diplomatic staff

China on Friday called on the United States to ensure the inviolability of China's diplomatic and consular staff and premises. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks here Friday after China's deputy consul-general to Houston and his family were assaulted by US police while on their way back to China's consulate-general in Houston by car.

Greek Wealth Is Everywhere but Tax Forms

In the wealthy, northern suburbs of this city, where summer temperatures often hit the high 90s, just 324 residents checked the box on their tax returns admitting that they owned pools. So tax investigators studied satellite photos of the area — a sprawling collection of expensive villas tucked behind tall gates — and came back with a decidedly different number: 16,974 pools.

Newcrest Agrees to Buy Lihir After Sweetening Bid

Newcrest Mining Ltd. agreed to buy Lihir Gold Ltd. after sweetening its cash and stock bid to A$9.2 billion ($8.5 billion) to create the world’s fifth-biggest producer of the metal.

Australia looks at 40 percent tax on mining profit

Australia would heavily tax the booming profits of its mining companies under a tax system overhaul proposed Sunday that also would invest in infrastructure to support mining operations and reduce corporate taxes.

Gold: Needed Now More Than Ever

Greece’s debt troubles are well known. Less recognized is the worrying truth that Greece is just the tip of the iceberg.

Finance ministers to announce amounts of emergency loans to Greece

Eurozone finance ministers on Sunday will announce how much Greece will receive in emergency loans to help stave off defaulting on its debt. Estimates so far put the critical bailout package as high as €100 billion to 2012.

Junking Greece May Be Beginning of End for Euro: Mark Gilbert

Greece cheated its way into the single-currency club, lied about its deficit for years, and now brings the shame of becoming the first junk-rated member after losing investment-grade status at Standard & Poor’s this week.