IBT Staff Reporter

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday stopped short of signaling further action to boost growth, but said it was critical for the economy's health to reduce long-term joblessness.

Stocks fell early Friday as investors found few reasons to buy following a volatile week and ahead of a keenly anticipated speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Goodnight Irene! a North Carolina resident wrote on their house, which was left boarded up, anticipating the arrival of Hurricane Irene in Nags Head, N.C., The storm's punishing weather from the Carolinas to as far north as Massachusetts threatens at least 65 million people in the storm's track.

Chelsea's pursuit of Luka Modric, one of the summer's long-standing sagas, has come to a conclusion according to Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp although reports suggest Daniel Levy has laid out terms to him, threatening him to play or face exclusion from Euro qualifiers next week.

Residents in Ocean City, Md. Were ordered to evacuate as the monster storm Hurricane Irene is expected to hit the Maryland shore Sunday.

Tiffany & Co raised its full-year profit outlook as more shoppers worldwide bought its jewelry during the bridal season, helping it overcome rising gold and diamond costs and sending its shares up more than 5 percent.

China has ordered banks to include their margin deposits in required reserves at the central bank to mop up excessive liquidity, banking sources said on Friday, the latest move in Beijing's campaign to rein in worrisome inflation.

Justin Bieber engaged with his fans via Twitter for help on his latest album. trying to figure out the name of this christmas album. it is special. we are going to raise alot for charity with it. what is a good name? he wrote early Friday morning.

The U.S. economy grew slower than previously thought in the second quarter as business inventories and exports were less robust, a government report showed on Friday, although consumer spending was revised up.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which helped guide the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program that funds children who experience side effects from vaccines, has commissioned a report after 17 years that found no link with autism and Type 1 diabetes after taking certain vaccines.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Friday as investors found few reasons to buy following a volatile week and ahead of a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the economy.

The economy grew much slower than previously thought in the second quarter as business inventories and exports were less robust, a government report showed on Friday, although consumer spending was revised up.

Those expecting Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to pull a rabbit from his hat at a retreat for central bankers here on Friday may be in for a letdown.

The economy grew much slower than previously thought in the second quarter as business inventories and exports were less robust, a government report showed on Friday, although consumer spending was revised up.

This year's heady bout of risk aversion on financial markets has ratcheted up demand for gold, U.S. Treasuries and the Swiss franc to levels that suggest they may no longer be the safe havens they are billed as.

Stock index futures edged lower on Friday as investors found few reasons to buy following a volatile week and ahead of a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the economy.

Widespread reports have stated that Arsenal had an offer rejected for Bolton defender Gary Cahill as their bid only came within one-third of his valuation.

How does a company recover from the loss of an iconic leader like Steve Jobs at Apple Inc ?

Stock index futures were little changed on Friday as investors hesitated to make bets on when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would announce a new stimulus plan as a volatile week drew to a close.

China has ordered banks to include their margin deposits in required reserves to mop up excessive liquidity, banking sources said, the latest move in Beijing's campaign to rein in inflation.

Spain reached political consensus on Friday to set constitutional limits on its public deficit and debt, though details were sketchy and there were few signs the accord would persuade markets Madrid can manage its finances.

Nationalised Dutch bank ABN AMRO is shedding 2,350 jobs -- some 9 percent of its workforce -- as the state readies it for a return to private hands.

The impending threat that Apple will see Jobs-less days had been looming since CEO Steve Jobs announced his medical leave in January.

This year's heady bout of risk aversion on financial markets has ratcheted up demand for gold, U.S. Treasuries and the Swiss franc to levels that suggest they may no longer be the safe havens they are claimed to be.

South Korea's LG Electronics hasn't been so smart with its smartphone business. Its mobile phone division has suffered five consecutive quarterly losses, cutthroat competition is pressuring it to overhaul the business and its shares have plummeted.

Stock futures pointed to a slightly higher open for equities on Friday after steep declines in the previous session, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones and for the Nasdaq 100 all up 0.2 percent.

Greece said on Friday it would not go ahead with a debt swap crucial to its second bailout if private sector holders of less than 90 percent of the bonds participate, failing to satisfy its international partners.

The top official behind Standard & Poor's downgrade of the United States said on Friday it was not to blame for August's stock market rout, and warned that developed nations still needed to get their act together to tackle their mountains of debt.

Dutch state-owned bank ABN AMRO said on Friday it would cut 2,350 jobs over the next four years, mostly in back office operations such as IT, as well as in retail and private banking, in a drive to save costs.