IBT Staff Reporter

Many states have used funds from the $863 billion U.S. economic stimulus plan to help give a rising number of poor families emergency cash assistance, the Government Accountability Office said on Thursday.

A son of Ghanaian immigrants who was educated at Eton, Britain's most exclusive private school, parliamentary candidate Kwasi Kwarteng embodies both change and continuity in the Conservative Party.

Anti-government protesters began gathering in Bangkok on Friday for what they promise will be a million-man march in coming days to paralyze Thailand's capital and force the government to call elections.

Canada posted firmer-then-expected jobs growth on Friday, confirming its recovery is taking hold, with a report that raised rate hike expectations and sent the currency to its highest since July 2008.

Suicide bombers targeting the Pakistani military killed at least 45 people in Lahore on Friday, officials said, in a challenge to government assertions that crackdowns have weakened Taliban insurgents.

British computer expert Peter Moore, held captive in Iraq for 2-1/2 years until his release in December, has said he was tortured and subjected to mock executions by a well-trained kidnap gang.

China-friendly Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou faces a new test of public confidence ahead of tense year-end elections after the sudden resignation of his justice minister and the health minister's threat to quit.

India signaled on Friday it was open to a new round of talks with Pakistan, raising fresh hopes of a thaw in relations after last month's official dialogue between the nuclear-armed rivals produced no breakthrough.

Around 20 people died and thousands were evacuated in Kazakhstan on Friday after severe floods destroyed two dams in the south of the Central Asian state, the emergencies ministry said.

British researchers said their study, which should reassure many millions of women across the world who have taken oral birth control pills, found no link between the drugs and an increased long-term risk of dying sooner.

Top phone makers Nokia and Apple will seek a U.S. court hearing in a key patent battle in mid-2012, a court filing showed, raising the specter of a prolonged legal struggle.

An upcoming U.S.-led military campaign to regain control of the Taliban heartland of Kandahar will be a decisive phase in the Afghan war, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told frontline troops this week.

Corporal Jacob Turbett gave out a single groan of pain before the Taliban bullet, which had pierced his heart, ended his life.

Europe's vanmakers have gone a long way toward meeting proposals to curb climate-warming emissions, but as debate on the 2016 targets kicks off big auto is seen digging its heels in over the last mile.

As U.S. prospects for a national climate change bill fade, five U.S. states and Canadian provinces are on track to start a cap-and-trade market for carbon dioxide in 2012, say officials who see fading federal momentum boosting regional efforts.

President Barack Obama plans to nominate San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Janet Yellen, a respected policy dove, to be vice chairman of the central bank, a source familiar with the process said on Thursday.

Thousands of workers who suffered health problems after the September 11 attacks in 2001 have reached a settlement worth up to $657.5 million with an insurer representing the city of New York, city officials and lawyers said on Thursday.

European Central Bank Governing Council member George Provopoulos has backed a call for the bank to consider accepting lower rated bonds as security for loans if a higher risk margin is charged.

U.S. stock index futures were higher on Friday, a day after the S&P hit a 17-month closing high and ahead of reports that could give clues about the strength of the American consumer.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had a modest lead over rival Shi'ites, partial results from Iraq's tight election race showed on Friday, but a secularist challenger remained far ahead among Iraqi Sunnis.

Global stocks rose to seven week highs on Friday led by bank shares after talks on U.S. banking reform collapsed, while speculation the Bank of Japan may soon ease monetary policy weighed on the yen.

China warned Google, the world's largest search engine, against flouting the country's laws on Friday, as expectations grow for a resolution to a public battle over censorship and cyber-security.

U.S. stock index futures were modestly higher on Friday, a day after the S&P hit a 17-month closing high and ahead of reports that could give clues into the strength of the American consumer.

Google, the world's largest search engine, is welcome to expand its market share in China, the country's Minister of Industry and Information Technology said on Friday.

Plans by Carrefour, the world's No.2 retailer, to open its first cash-and-carry outlets in India are a sign of optimism in the country's $450 billion retail sector, but foreign investors and some officials want more -- an easing of the country's tough investment rules.

The window of opportunity is closing for boutique bond trading firms to make a killing from market turmoil as big Wall Street banks regain their footing and rehire staff.

The United States should not make a political issue out of the yuan, a Chinese central banker said on Friday, as the two countries lurched toward a potential bust-up over Beijing's currency regime.

Flat-screen maker LG Display will spend $1.3 billion to raise output and help meet robust customer demand and is betting on booming premium LCD TV sales to drive strong growth this year.

Norway's Yara International said on Friday it would not raise its offer for Terra Industries to match or exceed a rival bid from CF Industries Holdings Inc .