The dollar index was off nearly 1% since Wednesday's high immediately after the Federal Reserve said it would accelerate tapering of its emergency bond buying programme.
North Koreans are directed to observe a mourning period of 11 days to mark the death anniversary of former leader Kim Jong II, during which they're not allowed to show any signs of happiness.
Michelle Odinet, a Lafayette City Court judge in Louisiana, stepped down temporarily on Thursday (December 16) after she was seen using racial slurs in a video.