WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives committee approved charges of abuse of power and obstruction against Republican President Donald Trump on Friday, making it almost certain he will become the third American president in history to be impeached.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg on Friday unveiled a climate plan to slash U.S. carbon emissions by 50% in ten years, by slapping tougher pollution standards on new gas-fired power plants and replacing coal with cleaner energy sources like wind and solar.

WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States had reached a so-called Phase One trade deal with China in which Washington would suspend tariffs on Chinese imports scheduled for Sunday, while Beijing would step up purchases of U.S. agricultural products.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Danny Aiello, a veteran stage and film actor remembered for his roles in Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" and Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo," has died at a New Jersey medical center at age 86, his literary agent told Fox News on Friday.

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has agreed to phase out tariffs on Chinese goods, Chinese officials said at a press conference in Beijing Friday evening.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales increased less than expected in November as Americans cut back on discretionary spending despite a strong labor market, raising fears the economy was slowing a bit faster than anticipated in the fourth quarter.

MOSCOW, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry on Friday called for dialog between hostile groups to resolve the crisis in Libya, the Interfax news agency reported, a day after eastern forces' commander Khalifa Haftar urged an advance towards Tripoli.

WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - White House counsel Pat Cipollone is likely to play a leading role in defending President Donald Trump at a potential U.S. Senate impeachment trial, an administration official said on Friday.

(Reuters) - U.S. stocks hit fresh record levels on Friday after China said first phase trade talks with the United States have achieved major progress and that Beijing would cancel tariffs scheduled to take effect on Sunday.