Stock futures in a narrow range ahead of open (AP)

AP - Stock futures are trading in a narrow range as a lack of economic reports have kept a lid on big movements this week.

Greece hit by strikes over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Riot police fired tear gas to disperse protesters throwing rocks and firebombs outside Parliament as more than 10,000 people marched through central Athens Thursday during a nationwide general strike against the government's harsh new austerity measures.

Mexico's Slim becomes 'world's richest' person (AP)

AP - Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim is the first man from a developing nation to become the world's richest person — a shift that underlines the loosening of America and Europe's stranglehold on the top spots in the billionaires' club.

BMW 2009 profit falls 36 pct to $286 million (AP)

AP - German carmaker BMW AG said Thursday its 2009 net income fell 36 percent to euro210 million ($286 million) because of lower demand for its cars and motorcycles during the economic downturn as well as a higher tax rate.

Safety agency under spotlight in House hearing (AP)

AP - Toyota's massive recalls are bringing new scrutiny to the government's auto safety agency, prompting Congress to look at how federal safety officials have lived up to their mission of protecting motorists.

Greece hit by strikes over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Protesters clashed with riot police as more than 10,000 people marched through central Athens Thursday during a nationwide general strike against the government's harsh new austerity measures.

HSBC: data on 15,000 Swiss account holders stolen (AP)

AP - Information on 15,000 HSBC customers with Swiss accounts has been stolen, the British bank said Thursday, potentially exposing foreign clients to prosecution by tax authorities in their home countries.

Greece hit by strikes over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Protesters have clashed with riot police in central Athens during a demonstration to mark a nationwide general strike against the Greek government's harsh new asusterity measures.

Gates regrets Northrop withdrawal from tanker bid (AP)

AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday he regrets that a major defense contractor has pulled out of the contest to build a badly needed new Air Force plane.

Volkswagen confirms 2009 net income fell 80 pct (AP)

AP - Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen AG says its 2009 net income declined 80 percent to euro960 million ($1.3 billion), confirming its preliminary estimate released in February.

Oil slips under $82 on profit taking (AFP)

AFP - Oil prices slipped under 82 dollars on Thursday as investors took profits on gains made followed data that showed stronger US energy demand, analysts said.

Greece paralyzed by strike over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Greek public transport was halted, flights grounded and state hospitals left with emergency staff only on Thursday as workers held yet another general strike to protest painful spending cuts.

Greece paralyzed by strike over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Greek public transport was halted, flights grounded and state hospitals left with emergency staff only on Thursday as workers held yet another general strike to protest painful spending cuts.

Volkswagen confirms 2009 net income fell 80 pct (AP)

AP - Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen AG says its 2009 net income declined 80 percent to euro960 million ($1.3 billion), confirming its preliminary estimate released in February.

Greece paralyzed by strike over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Greek public transport was halted, flights grounded and state hospitals left with emergency staff only on Thursday as workers held yet another general strike to protest painful spending cuts.