IBT Staff Reporter

Stocks rallied on Friday after a week of volatility, but light trading volume suggested investors are still reluctant to make big bets due to turmoil in the Middle East and Japan's nuclear crisis.

The Nuclear regulatory Commission has no plans to retrofit existing nuclear power plants due to seismic hazards, despite an increase in measured seismic risk at some sites.

The following is a White House transcript of remarks by President Barack Obama on Friday on the situation in Libya delivered from the East Room on March 18, 2011.

The actor, who sold out shows in New York City, Boston, Connecticut, Chicago and Detroit just added another 12 shows to his tour.

A second statement from the company suggest that future 3DS shipments may be affected by the situation in Japan.

Keycorp said on Friday that it planned to repay $2.5 billion in U.S. government bailout funds, becoming one of the latest banks to shake off the lingering effects of the financial crisis.

From Apple's new iPad to Chevrolet pick-ups, concern is spreading down the global manufacturing supply chain about the impact of Japan's earthquake last week.

A coordinated move by central banks of rich nations to stabilize the yen appeared to be working on Friday, tamping its value down after Japan's devastating earthquake and nuclear crisis triggered a yen surge and raised fears about the global economy.

JPMorgan Chase & Co, Wells Fargo & Co and other major U.S. banks plan to boost their dividend payments after passing stress tests evaluated by the Federal Reserve.

The old three-ring binder filled with paper is on its way out of county government meetings in favor of the shiny, new touchscreen Apple iPad2.

A letter that had prompted Mark Hurd's abrupt resignation as chief of Hewlett-Packard Co was ordered unsealed by a Delaware judge, potentially revealing more details of his dramatic exit last year.

Continental AG's North American unit is recalling about 391,000 tires, most of which were put on new Ford Motor Co F-250 and F-350 heavy duty pickup trucks, U.S. regulators said on Friday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that Germany may take on additional tasks in the war in Afghanistan to make up for NATO members' involvement in possible attacks on Libya after a UN vote yesterday approved a possible no-fly zone.

BB&T Corp raised its quarterly dividend 1 cent and will pay a special 1 cent dividend in the second quarter, becoming one of the first U.S. banks to raise its dividend after finishing a second round of regulatory stress tests by the Federal Reserve.

The company has sent out emails to subscribers encouraging them to switch to its official tethering service.

The see-through dress that allegedly sparked the royal romance of the century has sold for 78,000 pounds, or $125,000.

Stocks advanced on Friday after the Group of Seven intervened to support the Japanese yen and major banks were cleared to pay dividends again, but investors are unlikely to make big bets heading into the weekend.

France called for clear signals on job protection after U.S. group General Mills Inc entered into exclusive talks to buy half of cherished yoghurt brand Yoplait.

Top network equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc plans to pay a dividend for the first time, helping appease investors' concerns about slowing growth by returning more of its ample cash hoard.

Prices to Buy Gold rose above $1418 per ounce Friday lunchtime in London, reversing this week's earlier 2.4% drop as crude oil fell and world stock markets rose further after news of an immediate cease-fire by the Gaddafi regime in Libya, prompted by the United Nations' no fly zone agreement.

Starbucks Coffee Co Chief Executive Howard Schultz on Friday once again laid the blame for surging coffee prices at the feet of speculators, saying his chain had no problem getting beans.

A coordinated move by central banks of rich nations to stabilize the yen's value appeared to be having a decisive effect on Friday, after a sharp rise in the yen after Japan's devastating earthquake and nuclear crisis raised fears about the global economy.

Rovio, the developer of the Angry Birds mobile game, plans a U.S. initial public offering in the next five years, a move that could give investors a chance to tap into the fastest growing segment of the video game industry.

Cisco Systems Inc plans to pay a cash dividend to shareholders for the first time, helping appease investors' concerns about its growth and eroding margins and sending its shares up nearly 3 percent.

Once every few years, the moon makes a closer-than-usual approach, offering better views, higher tides, and a bit more light.

A creative YouTuber puts the famous game, Super Mario Bros., in a not so familiar format.

Work has begun on the first Nokia Oyj smartphones based on Microsoft Corp software following the partnership announced by the companies last month, Nokia Chief Executive Stephen Elop told Reuters.

A new study says upcoming wind farm and solar energy projects in in Hawaii could reliably provide energy for 25 percent of the state.

As expected, President Barack Obama on Friday signed H.J. Res 48 into law on Friday, enacting a 3 week measure to fund the government until April 8.