IBT Staff Reporter

Jason Alexander, famous for playing George Costanza on 'Seinfeld,' went on an informational tour of Israel this week.

Shares of MF Global Holdings Ltd hit another all-time low and its bonds were in freefall on Friday as troubles intensified for the U.S. futures brokerage that is looking to sell off units in order to retain customers and to survive.

European shares slipped Friday after the previous session's rally on the European Union's debt deal, as a disappointing Italian bond auction fueled investors' skepticism about the plan to tackle the region's debt crisis.

Bank of America Corp, after receiving heavy public criticism for a planned $5 per-month debit card fee, is likely to give customers more ways to avoid the fee, a person familiar with the bank's plans said Friday.

The world's two top appliance makers are planning large rounds of cost-cutting, including thousands of job cuts, as recession-weary shoppers have held off on buying refrigerators, washing machines and other costly items.

NEW YORK - For the small club of companies who trade the food, fuels and metals that keep the world running, the last decade has been sensational. Driven by the rise of Brazil, China, India and other fast-growing economies, the global commodities boom has turbocharged profits at the world's biggest trading houses.

Veteran actor and comedian Steve Martin is writing a book based on his Twitter posts, with all profits going to charity, the book's publishers said on Friday.

Oil prices retreated on Friday in choppy trading as uncertainties about Europe's plan to tackle its debt problems prompted some profit taking after the previous session's rally.

Allen Gregory, brought to life by Superbad actor Jonah Hill, debuts on Fox this Sunday telling of a pretentious boy named Allen Gregory, who struggles to adapt to public school after his family loses all its money.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc has been hit with a new $1.07 billion lawsuit for having allegedly sold risky debt that it expected would tumble in value to an Australian hedge fund, causing that fund to become insolvent.

A Canadian senator has launched a campaign to replace the industrious beaver with the indomitable polar bear as Canada's national emblem, saying the incumbent is a dentally defective rat.

Shares of MF Global Holdings Ltd hit another all-time low and bonds were in freefall on Friday as troubles intensified for the U.S. futures brokerage that is looking to sell off units in order to retain customers, and to survive.

Electronic brokers for customized structured products are set to hit the Swiss market next year, allowing investors to get even better deals from banks.

Sluggish income growth led U.S. households to cut back on saving in September to raise their spending, showing the economy's recovery remains fragile.

Cablevision Systems Corp's quarterly earnings widely missed Wall Street estimates as it faced a weak economy, high programing costs and increased competition from phone companies offering TV services.

Stocks edged lower on Friday as investors paused after a rally that lifted the S&P 500 index almost 20 percent from near bear market levels where it had sunk earlier this month.

Africa's new scramble for oil is heading east, where the potential could be huge but the risks are far higher than in the well-established sector on the continent's west coast.

Annual inflation in Kenya rose more than expected to 18.91 percent in October as food, electricity and fuel prices increased along with transport costs, but analysts said it was close to peaking.

A controversial weapon could be deployed soon in the U.S. fight against the housing crisis as states and top banks near a deal in their dispute over mortgage abuses -- cutting the mortgage debt owed by homeowners.

Swiss Re has regained a prized credit rating lost during the financial crisis, a key step toward the reinsurer's goal of expanding its business.

South Africa's rand firmed on Friday and was on course to record its best week in two years, still benefiting from news of a deal towards resolving the euro zone debt crisis.

Election campaigning began in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday and organisers said the polls will go ahead on November 28 despite concerns over whether preparations have been adequate.

NATO confirmed on Friday it would end its Libyan mission next week, seven months after launching air and sea operations that helped bring the overthrow and death of Muammar Gaddafi.

The leader of the Islamist party which won Tunisia's first free election appealed for calm in the town where the Arab Spring began, accusing forces linked to the ousted president of fanning violence there.

Exchanges in London and Singapore said it was business as usual on their bourses for futures broker MF Global Holdings Ltd on Friday, after two rating agencies downgraded its debt to junk status.

A controversial weapon could be deployed soon in the U.S. fight against the housing crisis as states and top banks near a deal in their dispute over mortgage abuses -- cutting the mortgage debt owed by homeowners.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co (GT.N) reported a much higher-than-expected third-quarter profit, helped by an 18 percent rise in revenue per tire, and its shares rose more than 7 percent.

Canadian stocks edged higher in early action on Friday, led by a rise in shares of gold and base metal miners, even as fading optimism over a European debt deal weighed on the broader market.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been backed by teammate Cesc Fabregas to leave behind his recent below-par form.