AFP – The Greek government prepared to launch Sunday a fresh round of unpopular austerity cuts in order to secure loans desperately needed from the EU and IMF to regain control of a spiraling debt crisis.

AP - A lawyer for one of the men accused of planning a 2010 dual car bombing in Nigeria's capital says his client has died while awaiting trial.

Reuters - German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces an unexpected challenge in getting new euro zone budget discipline rules approved at home, after the government confirmed on Saturday the new treaty will require a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament.

AP - A militant group has claimed responsibility for killing four police officers this week and says it is in contact with the kidnappers of three foreign crew members.

Time.com - Ireland announced this week it would hold a referendum on new fiscal rules for euro-zone members. A 'no' vote could possibly result in Ireland pulling out of the euro.

AP - Police say gunmen have shot dead four police officers in Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta.

Reuters - Toronto's main stock index looked set to open higher on Thursday buoyed by rising commodity prices and upbeat economic data.

Reuters - Vietnam is hoping that falling inflation and rising global risk appetites will spur sustained interest in the country's small stock market, a frontier where many pioneers have been burned.