SYDNEY (Reuters) - World financial markets were hit by a wave of uncertainty on Friday after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called for an end to coronavirus pandemic relief for struggling businesses, sparking a rare clash between the central bank and Treasury.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar halted its slide on Friday after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called an end to some of the Federal Reserve’s pandemic lending, derailing a risk rally and surprising investors who had counted on central bank support.

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell in early trade on Thursday, giving up some of gains from the previous day as surging COVID-19 cases and widening lockdowns raised fears over fuel demand, offsetting further upbeat vaccine news.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The dollar nursed losses after five sessions of decline and the yen held on to most of its recent gains on Thursday, as investors worried about rising coronavirus deaths and began to wager on more monetary stimulus from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares eased from all-time highs on Thursday as widening COVID-19 restrictions in the United states weighed on Wall Street, while bonds were underpinned by speculation the Federal Reserve would have to respond with yet more easing.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Oil prices were mixed on Wednesday as a bigger-than-expected build in U.S. crude stocks and weaker U.S. retail sales stoked fears over fuel demand, although hopes that OPEC and its allies will delay a planned rise in oil output lent support.