IBT Staff Reporter

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Friday as investors found few reasons to buy following a volatile week and ahead of a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the economy.

Switzerland has made a proposal to try to kickstart talks to settle its impasse with U.S. authorities over Swiss banks suspected of helping wealthy Americans dodge taxes, its finance minister said.

Aiming to spark job growth in California, Governor Jerry Brown unveiled proposals for tax breaks for businesses, including tax relief for companies that buy new manufacturing equipment.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday stopped short of signaling further action to boost growth, but said it was critical for the economy's health to reduce long-term joblessness.

Hurricane Irene is on the horizon, but for seasoned hurricane veterans (or for those who just don't care that much), its a perfect time to party - safely!

Hurricane Irene bore down on North Carolina on Friday, tens of thousands of people evacuated and East Coast cities including New York braced for a weekend hit from the powerful storm.

A 95-year-old California man who was stung more than 400 times by a massive swarm of bees was recovering at a local hospital on Thursday, police said.

Bank of America could strike a deal as early as Monday to sell about half of its 10 percent stake in China Construction Bank, CNBC reported Friday, citing an anonymous source.

Google's Eric Schmidt faces a wary audience of British television professionals on Friday following a major acquisition that could turn Google TV into a real competitor for TV advertising dollars.

The U.S. economy grew much slower than previously thought in the second quarter as business inventories and exports were less robust, a government report showed on Friday, although consumer spending was revised up.

Wall Street stocks rebounded on Friday as investors digested Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's remarks about the economy and regained hope the door was still open for more monetary stimulus down the road.

Wall Street stocks rebounded on Friday as investors digested Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's remarks about the economy and regained hope the door was still open for more monetary stimulus down the road.

As far as investors can see, the outlook for Apple's shares remains as bright as an iPad screen despite the resignation of Steve Jobs, the company's legendary co-founder, as chief executive.

Hurricane Irene could seriously threaten areas as far north as Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket off the Massachusetts coast, according to federal officials, who extended more hurricane watches and warnings on Friday.

EU authorities would need to re-examine Italy's austerity plan if it is overhauled, an Italian Treasury official said on Friday, while town mayors added to the clamor for amendments by protesting against funding cuts.

Labor strikes in the United States left 46,300 workers idle during the reference period for the government's August employment survey, the Labor Department said on Friday.

With Hurricane Irene likely heading for the New York area, government officials are stepping up efforts to alert and prepare residents.

Teen vaccination rates for human papillomavirus (HPV) are trailing behind for two other vaccines recommended for teens and preteens, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Philadelphia May Nutter said Thursday that Hurricane Irene could become the worst storm to hit the East in fifty years. Governors in North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware have all declared states of emergency.

Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday the U.S. economy needed more stimulus to get it moving, putting in a plug for government intervention shortly before the White House unveils new proposals to boost job growth.

It has been quite a year for New York, as the city has been hit with tornadoes, a blizzard, a heat wave, an earthquake and now a hurricane.

As the hurricane warning area expands on the East Coast covering a large area from North Carolina to Boston, the National Weather Service warned Washington, D.C. area with a higher danger.

As most of the Eastern Seaboard prepares for Hurricane Irene, many travelers will be cutting trips short, returning home early or not going at all. For those who bought travel insurance, here's what you can expect to be covered.

U.S. economic growth in the second quarter was slower than previously thought and consumer confidence sank in August, further reducing prospects of a strong pick-up in output in the second half of the year.

Zoe Saldana graces the cover of three top magazines for September. In edition to her latest Ebony cover, the star has been featured on Latina and Women's Health. This rising star is capturing the eye of everyone in Hollywood.

Zoe Saldana graces the cover of three top magazines for September. In edition to her latest Ebony cover, the star has been featured on Latina and Women's Health. This rising star is capturing the eye of everyone in Hollywood.

Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday the U.S. economy needed more stimulus to get it moving, putting in a plug for government intervention shortly before the White House unveils new proposals to boost job growth.

Stocks fell on Friday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stopped short of signaling more action to boost growth, disappointing investors who had hoped for a new stimulus program.

It'll be an interesting night of European football as the continents two champions from last season - Barcelona and FC Porto - take on each other in the UEFA Super Cup.