EGYPT

Algeria promised to end a 19-year-old state of emergency and provide more political freedoms on Thursday, concessions designed to keep out a wave of uprisings sweeping the Arab world.

Egypt's government struggled to regain control of an angry nation, inviting Islamist opponents to political talks as protesters demanding the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak battled with his supporters on the streets.

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole has sparked outrage with a tweet that appears to trivialize the ongoing political turmoil in Egypt.

An Egyptian army tank moved against supporters of President Hosni Mubarak as they hurled rocks at anti-Muburak protesters in central Cairo, prompting cheers from demonstrators battered by overnight fighting that killed six.

Retailers were a standout in an otherwise flat market on Thursday as a bigger-than-expected rise in sales at U.S. chain stores helped dispel some of the concern about the U.S. consumer.

Retail clothing stores such as Ann Taylor are leading the way so far on strong retail report by the Institute for Supply Management

U.S. stocks slipped on Thursday as concerns over increasing disorder in Egypt and signs of exhaustion in the recent market rally weighed on investor sentiment.

Egypt state TV reported that Gamal, son of embattled Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, will not run for the country's Presidency.

Growth in the U.S. services sector in January was the fastest in more than five years, another sign the economy started 2011 on a solid footing, with measures of employment showing more strength.

Here is a collection of reaction to the latest escalation of civil unrest and violence in Egypt from around the world:

Mobile operator Vodafone on Thursday accused the Egyptian authorities of using its network to send pro-government text messages to its subscribers, without clear attribution.

Egypt wants freedom from the oppressive regime of President Hosni Mubarak. But as one dictator is in the process of being ousted, Egyptians should make sure that another -- like the Muslim Brotherhood or the military -- doesn't take his place.

U.S. stocks slipped on Thursday as concerns over increasing disorder in Egypt and signs of exhaustion in the recent market rally weighed on investor sentiment.

U.S. stocks declined in early trade on Thursday as political crisis in Egypt overshadowed better-than-expected economic reports on weekly jobless claims, non-farm productivity and monthly factory orders.

Wall Street tumbled on Thursday as concerns over increasing disorder in Egypt and signs of exhaustion in the recent market rally weighed on investor sentiment.

Egyptian authorities sent out anonymous mass texts via Vodafone network, statement says.

Growth in the U.S. services sector in January was the fastest in more than five years, another sign the economy started the new year on a solid footing, with measures of employment showing some strength.

U.S. stocks fell modestly in early trade on Thursday despite better-than-expected weekly jobless claims data as mixed earnings and political crisis in Egypt weighed on the sentiment.

Spot gold was bid at $1,328.05 an ounce at 1300 GMT, against $1,336.00 late in New York on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures for April delivery fell $3.90 to $1,328.20. Concerns over the fallout from unrest in Egypt, where six people were killed after supporters of president Hosni Mubarak opened fire on protestors overnight, have underpinned prices, but have not sparked fresh investment, analysts said.

U.S. stocks opened slightly lower on Thursday as investors weighed hints of an improving economy against increasing disorder in Egypt and signs pointing to an end to the recent rally.

The European Central Bank kept interest rates at 1 percent as forecast on Thursday, ahead of its policy statement where it is expected to repeat its recent inflation warning but signal that a rate rise is not imminent.