UNITED STATES

Stocks advanced on Friday after the Group of Seven intervened to support the Japanese yen and major banks were cleared to pay dividends again, but investors are unlikely to make big bets heading into the weekend.

France called for clear signals on job protection after U.S. group General Mills Inc entered into exclusive talks to buy half of cherished yoghurt brand Yoplait.

Prices to Buy Gold rose above $1418 per ounce Friday lunchtime in London, reversing this week's earlier 2.4% drop as crude oil fell and world stock markets rose further after news of an immediate cease-fire by the Gaddafi regime in Libya, prompted by the United Nations' no fly zone agreement.

Rovio, the developer of the Angry Birds mobile game, plans a U.S. initial public offering in the next five years, a move that could give investors a chance to tap into the fastest growing segment of the video game industry.

Once every few years, the moon makes a closer-than-usual approach, offering better views, higher tides, and a bit more light.

US stocks rally on news of Libya announcement of immediate ceasefire.

Work has begun on the first Nokia Oyj smartphones based on Microsoft Corp software following the partnership announced by the companies last month, Nokia Chief Executive Stephen Elop told Reuters.

In the wake of an intensifying crackdown against anti-government protesters (including the killing of at least 30 demonstrators earlier today in the capitol Sanaa), the president of Yemen has declared a state of emergency in the restive country.

As expected, President Barack Obama on Friday signed H.J. Res 48 into law on Friday, enacting a 3 week measure to fund the government until April 8.

The Federal Reserve will allow some of the largest U.S. banks to boost or restart dividends payments this year but will restrict the amounts to 30 percent or less of the company's anticipated earnings, the central bank said on Friday.

Stocks rose on Friday as the Group of Seven nations moved to calm markets amid Japan's crisis and as Brent oil slipped, but investors are likely to stay cautious heading into the weekend.

Nuclear energy experts in the U.S. believe that the quake-damaged atomic plant in northeastern Japan that is at the center of an unrelenting crisis has a dire breach in the wall or floor – a predicament that will pose serious problems when they seek to refill the spent fuel pool with coolant in order to prevent the release of extremely harmful radioactivity.

Rovio, the developer of the Angry Birds mobile game, said it would seek an initial public offering in the United States.

Two Deutsche Bank analysts based in Singapore just compiled a research report that shed light on who drives the spot forex (FX) market.

Congress averted a partial federal shutdown on Thursday as the Senate voted to pass a three week extension already approved by the House that gives lawmakers time to negotiate a long term deal.

Work has begun on the first Nokia smartphones based on Microsoft software, according to Nokia Chief Executive Stephen Elop, who does not expect Microsoft to try to buy his company.

Oil prices fell on Friday after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's government said it would halt military action in response to a U.N. resolution for an immediate ceasefire.

US stocks advanced in early trade on Friday after the Group of Seven (G-7) Finance ministers had agreed to intervene in the markets to stabilize the Japanese yen.

U.S. stocks bounced for a second day on Friday as Group of Seven nations moved to calm markets rattled by Japan's nuclear crisis and oil prices fell after Libya said it would cease military actions.

Tickets for his upcoming one-man show sold out in record time. Tickets for the first show of Charlie Sheen LIVE: MY Violent Torpedo of Truth, in New York's Radio City Hall sold out in less than 30 minutes. The 6,000-seat venue is the largest of his tour so far.

Billionaire real estate magnate and television star Donald Trump – who may or may not run for President on the Republican ticket in 2012 – has expressed his doubts about where President Barack Obama was actually born.