- North Korea blows up roads, rails to South
- Thomas Tuchel set to be unveiled as new England manager - reports
- Russia working to undermine Moldova vote: US
- Trump says 'obnoxious' tariffs will bring factories to US
- Russia, China step up cybercriminal recruitment, warns Microsoft
- Kylian Mbappe 'shocked' to see name linked to Swedish rape investigation - lawyer to AFP
- Giant pandas flown to US from China aboard 'Panda Express'
- Sri Lanka level T20 series with record-breaking West Indies win
- French footballer Ben Yedder on trial for sexual assault
- India foreign minister in arch-rival Pakistan for rare visit
- Restored 'Apollo Belvedere' marble back on show in the Vatican
- Lagos festival dances to Nigerian icon Fela Kuti's beat
- Italian PM hails 'courageous' Albania migrant deal
- 'Tragedy in Jabalia' as Israel army tightens siege in north Gaza
- Draft UN climate pact leaves open thorny question of money
- Two giant pandas arrive in US from China aboard 'Panda Express'
- Musiala and Upamecano return to Bayern training
- Wirtz return 'unclear' after injury on Germany duty
- Ghulam says 'wait is over' after century on Pakistan debut
- Boeing to raise up to $25 bn as strike weighs on finances
- Two giant pandas arrive in US from China
- Japan hold Australia, S. Korea and China win in World Cup qualifying
- Mbappe's golden-boy image takes a hit amid negative headlines
- Hezbollah threatens to attack targets across Israel
- Oil prices fall on easing Middle East fears
- Wales lock Jenkins to miss November Tests with 'horrible' injury lay-off
- France to play Israel in Paris and allow fans in
- Twin panda cubs to make public debut at Berlin zoo
- Scotland's Kinghorn maintains Lions 'dream' despite Toulouse clash
- Pakistan debutant Ghulam hits century to defy England in second Test
- Boeing announces intention to raise up to $25 bn
- Tuchel 'in talks with FA' over England manager's job
- Dutch rider Lavreysen targets record at world track championships
- Bangladesh suspend Hathurusingha as coach after alleged assault
- Russian Olympic chief announces surprise resignation
- Ferguson to leave Man Utd ambassador role as club cuts costs
- Turkish govt defends tax plan to fund defence industry
- Oil prices tumble on easing Middle East fears
- Eidevall quits as Arsenal Women head coach
- US, Philippines launch war games after China's Taiwan drills, ship collision
- Swedish prosecutor confirms 'rape' probe without naming Mbappe
- England dismiss Ayub but Pakistan reach 173-3 at tea in second Test
- Israel vows to put 'national interest' first in response to Iran attack
- Oil prices hit by easing Middle East fears, most Asian markets rise
- Mbappe-PSG salary row faces hearing as France captain cited in 'rape' report
- K-pop star tells South Korea lawmakers of workplace bullying
- Ex-Wallabies captain Elsom denies wrongdoing after arrest warrant
- Pakistan 79-2 at lunch in second England Test after Leach strikes
- Hopes pinned on peace across Taiwan Strait after drills
- Valencia fans leave Singapore with 'stern warning' after protest
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Stock markets edgy, oil prices rise on conflict, steady US inflation
Stock markets were edgy while oil prices rose Thursday tracking the Israel-Hamas conflict, as latest data showed US consumer inflation data holding steady in September.
The International Energy Agency said the risk of oil supply disruptions owing to the conflict was limited, but added it stood ready to intervene in markets if necessary.
With the exception of London, which advanced slightly, major markets were just off, the Dow down 0.3 percent half an hour into the Wall Street session, while oil prices added almost 2 percent.
There has been plenty of optimism on equity trading floors in recent days after a US jobs report was neither too hot nor too weak, while a string of central bank decision-makers have lined up to suggest they backed a pause in any more monetary tightening.
In the latest remarks, Boston Fed chief Susan Collins said the policy board was being more patient now that rates were at or close to their peak, while Atlanta boss Raphael Bostic said that unless prices surged again, officials did not need to keep hiking.
While the producer price index came in well above estimates Wednesday, analysts said it was seen more as a blip in a generally disinflationary environment.
Ahead of the consumer prices data, Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell warned that any growth "would not go down well" after hotter-than-expected producer price inflation figures.
SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes took a longer view, suggesting "the future direction of events really depends on how economic indicators play out.
"Unless inflation unlikely trends higher or resurgent signs of a demand-supply imbalance in the labour market lead to a wage-price spiral, we think the Fed will continue to tap a less hawkish beat."
Minutes from the Fed's most recent policy meeting showed they would keep interest rates elevated "for some time" until inflation has been brought to heel.
- China boost -
In Asia, the mood was enhanced by news that China's massive sovereign wealth fund had bought stakes in the country's biggest banks, fuelling speculation it could broaden its reach to support beleaguered mainland markets.
Hong Kong and Shanghai equity indices rallied on news that China's Central Huijin Investment -- an arm of the $1.4 trillion China Investment Corp -- had bought $65 million of shares in the country's banking giants.
Analysts said the purchase of stakes in Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was aimed at boosting sentiment in mainland markets, which have been hit by worries over the stuttering economy.
- Key figures around 1345 GMT -
New York - Dow: DOWN 0.3 percent at 33,706.48 points
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,644.13 points
Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.2 percent at 15,422.19
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.3 percent at 7,106.72
EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.1 percent at 4,204.11
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 32,949.66 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.9 percent at 18,238.21 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.9 percent at 3,107.90 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0619 from $1.0621 on Wednesday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2247 from $1.2314
Dollar/yen: UP at 149.46 yen from 149.18 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 86.27 pence from 86.23 pence
Brent North Sea crude: UP 2.0 percent at $87.55 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.9 percent at $85.09 per barrel
L.Durand--AMWN