BARACK OBAMA

China hit back at U.S. criticism of Internet censorship and hacking on Friday, warning that relations between the two global heavyweights were being hurt by a feud centered on web giant Google.

Two U.S. Senate Democrats on Friday said they would vote against Ben Bernanke for a second term as Federal Reserve chairman, adding an element of uncertainty for Wall Street.

President Barack Obama believes the Senate will confirm Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term to lead the U.S. central bank, the White House said on Friday.

Shares of several major U.S. financial institutions fell on Friday along with the broader market a day after President Barack Obama's proposals to further restrict banking activity.

The FTSE 100 index was essentially flat early in the London session, but proceeded to drop as much as 40 points, or 1.4 percent, after weaker than expected U.K. retail sales were announced at 9:30 am in London.

U.S. stocks dropped on Friday as proposed sweeping restrictions on U.S. banks and the delayed confirmation of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke overshadowed solid earnings from General Electric and McDonald's.

U.S. stocks continued to fall in early trading on Friday, a day after President Barack Obama's bank restriction proposal, even as three industry titans beat earnings estimates.

U.S. President Barack Obama's plan to limit financial risk-taking could force banks, such as Goldman Sachs or JPMorgan , to shed parts of their private equity operations.

France, Britain and Germany offered support on Friday for President Barack Obama's plan to limit banks' size and trading activities but fell short of pledging to follow suit on the proposal that has stunned world markets.

France, Britain and Germany offered some support on Friday for U.S. President Barack Obama's plan to curb banks' size and trading activities, which has stunned markets and could rewrite the world's financial order.

U.S. stocks were set for a lower open on Friday as proposed sweeping restrictions on U.S. banks and the delayed confirmation of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke unnerved investors after a 10-month rally.

U.S. stock index futures fell on Friday as President Barack Obama's proposed sweeping restrictions on banks and the delayed confirmation of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke put investors on the defensive after a 10-month rally.

Asian stock markets skidded on Friday and commodity prices fell across the board after U.S. President Barack Obama proposed new restrictions on banks that spurred selling of risky assets.

Brazil will propose the creation of a joint fund with China, India and South Africa to help poor countries adapt to global warming as part of a broader attempt to revive stalled global climate talks.

President Barack Obama threatened to fight Wall Street banks on Thursday with new proposals to limit financial risk taking, sending stocks and the dollar tumbling.

Big banks have begun to find ways to cope with Obama's new regulations proposed on Thursday to reduce proprietary trading at financial firms.

Israel and the Palestinians belittled each other's commitment to peace as U.S. President Barack Obama admitted on Thursday he had underrated the difficulty of reviving deadlocked Middle East negotiations.

Stocks suffered their worst one-day percentage drop since October on Thursday as U.S. President Barack Obama proposed tough restrictions on banks that would squeeze profits.

President Barack Obama is looking to reduce proprietary trading at the biggest financial firms to help stabilize the financial system.

Stocks suffered their worst one-day percentage drop since October on Thursday as U.S. President Barack Obama proposed tough restrictions on banks that would squeeze profits.

The number of U.S. workers newly applying for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week and regional manufacturing slipped in January, hinting at some slowing in the pace of economic recovery.