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William Barr, nominated by President Donald Trump to become U.S. attorney general, plans to recuse himself from a major antitrust case, according to people who spoke with him on Thursday, as he navigates possible conflicts of interest presented by about $37 million in assets he amassed as a private-sector lawyer.

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Australian shares made a tepid start on Friday as investors took a wait-and-see approach on the outcome of U.S.-China trade talks given a lack of detail, with materials stocks posting losses on lower commodities prices.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday stressed again that the U.S. central bank can be patient in approving any further rate increases as officials gauge whether the U.S. economy will slow this year, as some in financial markets worry, or continue motoring ahead as the Fed itself expects.

* LME Tin Stocks, Spreads and Price: https://tmsnrt.rs/2SMfaJn

Fears that the U.S. economy is about to slip into recession have receded quite significantly in the last few days, thanks to payrolls and JayPo.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday canceled a planned visit later this month to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, signaling he was prepared for the political showdown over the partial federal government shutdown to stretch into late January.

Big British banks have been criticised by lawmakers for pressing ahead with plans for a new complaints service for small firms wronged by lenders, which they argue is too soft.

MPs and campaigners attack decision to avoid tougher regulation of SME lending

Education think-tank finds financial pressures have left deficits totalling £233m

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on Thursday the U.S. central bank has the ability to be patient on policy given inflation is stable, allowing it to assess whether the U.S. economy will slow this year as some in financial markets worry.