IBT Staff Reporter

Google Inc has settled a lawsuit accusing it of privacy violations in connection with its Buzz social networking service, according to a court document filed on Friday.

Stocks jumped and commodities rallied on Friday after data showed U.S. job losses were less than expected in August, the second major report this week to ease fears the American economy may slip back into recession.

Pakistan's Taliban threatened on Friday to launch attacks in the United States and Europe very soon.

Chinese officials have ordered state companies to meet investment bankers to explore ways to block BHP Billiton's $39 billion (£25.3 billion) bid for Potash Corp , a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Stocks jumped and commodities rallied on Friday after data showed U.S. job losses were less than expected in August, the second major report this week to ease fears the American economy may slip back into recession.

Wall Street closed a stellar week on Friday after recent economic data, including a stronger-than-expected labor market report, bolstered optimism that the economy would not fall back into recession.

President Barack Obama will outline new measures next week to boost the U.S. economy after August data on Friday showed again that jobs -- the central issue in November elections -- were being created too slowly.

Brazilian state oil company Petrobras on Friday filed to sell up to $64.5 billion of new stock -- the largest in capital markets history -- sending its stock sharply higher after months of uncertainty that dragged on its share price.

With little fanfare, equity markets have started to rally, investors have become sated with government bonds and cash levels are high enough to prompt a search for better yield.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, wearing his green military cap and clothing like the comandante of old, made his first speech before the Cuban public on Friday since falling ill in 2006, warning of the threat of nuclear war.

The broad S&P 500 index closed its best week in eight on Friday after recent economic data, including a stronger-than-expected labor market report, bolstered optimism that the economy would not fall back into recession.

Britain's leading share index hit a near four-month closing high on Friday after a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report eased concerns of the world's largest economy slipping back to another recession.

Survivors of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre forced a French former U.N. commander to leave a memorial site for victims on Friday, angry he had not fulfilled a wartime promise never to abandon the Bosnian town.

Wall Street was set to close its best week in six on Friday after economic data, including a stronger-than-expected labor market report, helped soothe fears the economy could fall back into recession.

European shares hit a three-week closing high on Friday and posted their biggest weekly gain in about 8 weeks as investors grabbed equities after figures showed that U.S. employment declined far less than expected in August.

Hurricane Earl slapped North Carolina's coast with rain, winds and heavy surf on Friday and swirled up the U.S. eastern seaboard towards New England and Canada as a much tamer storm than feared.

Stocks jumped and the dollar rallied on Friday after data showed U.S. job losses were less than expected in August, the second major report this week to ease fears the economy would slip back into recession.

Frequent trips to the Met's Egyptian rooms in New York inspired Leede's debut Ra Collection of textiles, which features block-printed Ancient Egyptian motifs and a subtle, earthy palette.

Suicide car bombers struck a police station in Tajikistan on Friday, officials said, killing two officers and wounding 25 in an attack authorities blamed on a militant group linked to al Qaeda.

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator, rose 5.2 percent to 79.4 based on contracts signed in July from a downwardly revised 75.5 in June, but remains 19.1 percent below July 2009 when it was 98.1.

Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana will stop the distribution of its two main lines at London shopping temple Selfridges after reports of a dispute over space in the department store chain, the designers said on Thursday.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, wearing his green military cap and clothing like the comandante of old, made his first speech before the Cuban public since falling ill in 2006 on Friday, warning of the threat of nuclear war.

Militants operating out of safe havens in Pakistan remain a major threat to Afghanistan but cooperation between NATO-led forces and the Pakistani military is increasing, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.

Bristol Palin, daughter of politician Sarah Palin, will match her dance steps against former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff and R&B singer Brandy in the new season of Dancing with the Stars.

Natalie Portman starrer dark psychological drama Black Swan, is creating waves at the ongoing 67th Venice film festival. The Darren Aronofsky-directed film explores the mind of an insecure and jealous ballerina played by Portman.

It's pretty sad that in recent years resumes have become more and more popular as vehicles for stealing personal identities. It sort of makes sense when you think about it because resumes contain some pretty vital personal information.

Michael Douglas has taken his throat cancer in his stride. He told People magazine that he was optimistic and treating this as a curable disease. But he admitted that he was uncertain about the future.

Hurricane Earl slapped North Carolina's coast with rain, winds and heavy surf on Friday and swirled up the U.S. eastern seaboard towards New England and Canada as a weakened but still potent storm.

U.S. employment fell for a third straight month in August, but the drop was far less than expected and private hiring surprised on the upside, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to prop up economic growth.