VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Facing rumors that he could face pressure to quit, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi hit back on Sunday against criticism from business leaders and dared his opponents to challenge him in parliament.

The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years in the second quarter with all sectors contributing to the jump in output in a bullish signal for the remainder of the year.

Greece's international creditors have no appetite for considering a haircut as a way to lighten its debt load, the head of the European Stability Mechanism, the euro zone's bailout fund organization, told Greek Sunday newspaper Realnews.

The Bank of Japan bought one-year government bills at negative yields in market operations on Friday, traders said, setting a new milestone as it pushes its aggressive asset purchase scheme.

The European Central Bank will hand out the first round of its new four-year loans on Thursday, the flagship tool in a new stimulus package it hopes will stave off deflation and revive the ailing euro zone economy.

Argentina called in the United States' top diplomat in the country on Tuesday to express its "deep indignation" over a local newspaper interview in which he made reference the South American country's latest debt default.

The European Union sought ways on Saturday to marshal billions of euros into its sluggish economy without getting deeper into debt, considering options from a pan-European capital market to a huge investment fund.

Despite the relatively low price Fiat managed to score in its buyout of Chrysler Group LLC, analysts said the ballooning debt of Fiat should be something to worry about.

According to a report, commercial real estate investors in the UK are looking to take on more debt with the continued resurgence in the commercial property market.

A report cited an example on how private equity had benefited greatly from US Federal Reserve's quantitative easing policy instead of the monetary policy's true beneficiaries - US companies and the American people.

Chairman Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum said Shuaa Capital is exploring a joint venture, partial sale or bond as possible avenues to grow the company.

Alitalia CEO Gabriele del Tochio would be submitting to the board for its decision for an industrial plan which would include 2,000 employee layoffs in order to keep the Italian air carrier aloft.

Petroleos de Venezuela SA is set on selling USD4.5 billion worth of bonds to increase scarce international reserves as well as curb the fastest rising inflation rate in the world.

Amidst rumors of a pending bankruptcy filing, secured bonds of OSX Brazil now trade at a two month high.

The term sheet indicated a USD150 million note with a maturity of five years for Modern Land offered to the bond market.