MONDAY

• Portugal promises to pay you a handsome 7% interest rate if you lend it some money by buying a bond. Of course, the country may go bankrupt trying to pay you back. (BBC News)

TUESDAY

• Economic growth in China, U.S., France, and Japan may lead the way to a good year for the rest of the world. (The Wall Street Journal)

WEDNESDAY

• Whew! Portugal doesn’t have to bribe bond buyers with handsome rates after all. European markets stop freaking out about a potential bailout. (The Washington Post)

THURSDAY

• Mother nature shows interest in finance, dumps water on Australia. Flooding could cost the country up to 1% in economic growth this year! (BBC News)

FRIDAY

• You’re not the only one who should be worrying about your credit score – because of rising debt, the U.S. may lose its sparkling AAA credit rating. (The Wall Street Journal)

Tags: Australia, bailout, bonds, credit rating, debt, global economy, Portugal