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Pakistan's unprecedented crackdown on its homegrown Taliban may have weakened the militants but the insurgency is still a threat to the unpopular U.S.-backed government.

U.S. stock index futures were lower on Thursday ahead of a report on weekly jobless claims and after data showed a jump in Chinese inflation.

* Yen slips amid Japan monetary easing expectations * Pound weakened by surprise drop in industrial output * Euro up vs dollar; Greece comments add to positive view (Recasts, updates prices, adds comment, byline)

The U.S. stock market is poised for a slightly lower opening after disappointing data from Germany and the U.K.

Clamping down on spending now to cut the gaping U.S. budget deficit would be pound-foolish and derail the economic recovery, a top White House economic adviser said on Tuesday.

The gaping U.S. budget deficit is cause for concern but clamping down on spending immediately would be pound-foolish and derail the recovery, a top White House economic adviser said on Tuesday.

U.S. stock index futures fell on Tuesday as commodities weakened ahead of a report expected to show another increase in crude oil inventories, a bearish sign for demand in the world's largest energy consumer.

The latest findings of a recent Australian study regarding the act of sitting down particularly at work and while watching TV show that it can be bad for your health.

Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc , the third-largest U.S. fast-food restaurant operator, issued a 2010 earnings growth forecast below Wall Street's view, sending its shares down 1.6 percent.

Iceland can get by without more cash from the International Monetary Fund until it needs to refinance debt in 2011, although any big delay will hit its economy, a central banker said on Thursday.

World stocks slipped on Thursday while the euro held above a recent 9-month low against the dollar as the European Central Bank prepared to announce next steps in stimulus withdrawal after its policy meeting.

The euro rose against the dollar and Greek borrowing costs fell to their lowest level since mid-February as Greece's cabinet approved new steps to fight a budget deficit, seen as key to secure EU fiscal support. European shares, however, were flat as traders said most of the news had been priced in and ahead of U.S. jobs data, though world stocks gained, on track to gain for the fourth consecutive day and near their five-week high.

United Parcel Service on Tuesday said that Chief Executive Scott Davis' total compensation was roughly flat in 2009 at $6.2 million.

Land & Houses PCL LH.BK, Thailand's biggest home builder, said on Tuesday it expected to report only single-digit growth in net profit in 2010 due to higher costs as government tax breaks expire in March.

McDermott International Inc reported higher quarterly net income on Monday as offshore oil and gas work offset weakness in power generation systems, but it posted revenue well short of analysts' estimates.

Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Donald Kohn, a 40-year veteran of the central bank, will step down in late June, giving President Barack Obama the opportunity to name a top policy maker.

Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Donald Kohn, a 40-year veteran of the U.S. central bank, will step down in late June, giving President Barack Obama a freer hand to reshape the institution.

Phuthuma Nhleko, Chief Executive Officer of South African mobile phone group MTN (MTNJ.J), will step down as CEO and group president in March 2011, the group said on Monday.

White House social secretary Desiree Rogers, who faced criticism after a two uninvited guests attended a state dinner in November, will be resigning next month, she told Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet on Friday.

Freddie Mac, the second-largest U.S. home funding company, said on Friday its mortgage investment portfolio shrank in January, while delinquencies on loans it guarantees accelerated.

A second major snow storm struck the Northeast, leaving at least 700,000 homes and businesses without power, and all New York City public schools closed for the day.