Libya has freed a three-member crew of a Dutch navy helicopter who were earlier captured by pro-government forces when they sought to evacuate civilians from the strife-torn nation.
Gold-buying prices held at two-week lows vs. the Dollar in London on Friday, as the US currency jumped and world stock markets sank after a powerful tsunami hits the Japanese coast 190 miles north-east of Tokyo.
The British government has offered Japan any assistance it may need after the massive earthquake and tsunami that smashed into the country, according to UK foreign secretary, William Hague.
European Union (EU) leaders have demanded that Moammar Gaddafi must give up power in Libya.
As forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi appear to be retaking strategic Libyan away from increasingly demoralized rebel factions, a U.S. intelligence official has predicted that Gaddafi will emerge victorious from this brutal conflict.
OPEC stuck to its view that the world has enough oil despite the loss of Libya's crude and prices of $113 a barrel, pointing to rising output from other members and a looming seasonal slowdown in demand.
Oil slid by more than $3 on Friday, with U.S. crude falling below $100, after an earthquake rocked Japan, creating a 10-meter tsunami and shutting down dozens of plants in the world's third-largest oil consumer.
Global stocks fell to their lowest in nearly six weeks on Friday and government bonds rose as a huge earthquake in Japan and expectations Portugal will have to seek financial aid prompted a sell-off in risky assets.
Brent crude futures fell below $113 on Friday as a massive earthquake rocked Japan, creating a 10-meter tsunami and shutting down dozens of plants in the world's third-largest oil consumer.
European shares hit a three-month low in early trade and Asian stocks too dropped on Friday, while U.S. futures headed lower, after a powerful 8.9-magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan's northeastern coast, triggering a tsunami as high as 10 metres.
U.S. stocks plunged on Thursday as weaker-than-expected economic reports from both domestic and overseas coupled with fears over the impact on oil price by pervasive unrest in the Middle East and North Africa weighed on the sentiment.
Asian shares dropped after a massive earthquake hit Japan, including the capital Tokyo, darkening an already bleak mood caused by weak economic data and unrest in Saudi Arabia.
A journalist working for the British newspaper Guardian is missing in Libya and has not been heard from since Sunday.
The president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has urged Moammar Qaddafi to immediately cease all acts of violence against his people, according to S.A. Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she plans to meet with Libyan rebel leaders in the U.S. and when she travels next week to France, Tunisia and Egypt.
Oil recouped most of its deep losses in late trade on Thursday after reports of police firing on protesters in Saudi Arabia revived fears of further unrest in the world's top exporter.
According to various media reports, French President Nicholas Sarkozy will propose to European Union (EU) leaders that they coordinate targeted air strikes on Moammar Gaddafi’s command headquarters in Libya to prevent his forces from carrying out more destruction against rebel forces.
Brent and U.S. crude oil futures pared losses on Thursday, beset by deeper geopolitical concerns on witness reports that police fired upon protesters in Saudi Arabia's Eastern province.
Brent crude oil futures climbed back to positive territory and U.S. crude pared losses Thursday after reports from Saudi Arabia said police had fired upon protesters, traders and other market sources said.
The government of Bangladesh said it is increasing efforts to help rescue thousands of its citizens who remain trapped in Libya.
Stocks dropped more than 1 percent on Thursday and the S&P 500 fell through a key technical level amid global economic worries, suggesting more losses may be on the way.
In a sign that forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi may finally be gaining the upper hand in the crisis in Libya, rebel groups have been forced out of the strategic oil port of Ras Lanuf (300 miles east of Tripoli) fleeing relentless barrage of attacks from government forces.
