U.S. stocks faltered as investors took a cautious stance on the European economic outlook after rising to the cusp of multi-year highs.

Greece braced for further anti-austerity protests while the country's parliament was debating legal changes that would clear the way for a debt restructuring.

Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn spent the night in police custody and is being questioned again over allegations related to a prostitution ring.

The U.S. dollar climbed above the psychologically important 80 yen level for the first time in seven months.

The Obama administration will propose lowering the top income-tax rate for corporations to 28% from 35% but would raise overall tax revenue by eliminating dozens of deductions.

The French government said Marie Colvin, a correspondent for the Sunday Times of London, and photojournalist Rémi Ochlik were killed in the bombardment of Homs.

Surveys and visa numbers show that members of China's wealthy elite are heading for the exits in search of things money can't buy in China: cleaner air, safer food, better education for their children.

Switzerland outlined proposals to improve its standing as a tax-compliant financial center, including the requirement on banks to ensure foreign clients declare their tax obligations.

AirAsia reported a sharply lower profit in last year's final quarter, as fuel expenses rose for Southeast Asia's largest discount carrier.

At least seven people were killed and dozens more injured as demonstrators attacked Afghan government and Western targets over the U.S. military's burning of copies of the Quran.