- Russia could be able to attack NATO by 2030: German intelligence
- EVs seek to regain sales momentum at Paris Motor Show
- Clarke backs Scotland to bounce back from 'tough' run
- Harris, Trump target crucial Pennsylvania as US vote looms
- NASA probe Europa Clipper lifts off for Jupiter's icy moon
- Lebanese Red Cross says 18 killed in strike in north
- Mendy borrowed money from Man City team-mates for legal fees
- Palestinian officials say Israeli forces kill two in West Bank
- Football leagues, unions file EU complaint against FIFA in calendar dispute
- Nigeria boycott AFCON qualifier in Libya after 'inhumane treatment'
- India to recall top envoy to Canada: foreign ministry
- Hezbollah, Israeli troops in 'violent clashes' after drone strike
- China insists won't renounce 'use of force' to take Taiwan as drills end
- Painkiller sale plan to US gives France major headache
- Italy begins landmark migrant transfers to Albania
- Russia jails French researcher for three years
- 'Unsustainable' housing crisis bedevils Spain's socialist govt
- Stocks shrug off China disappointment but oil slides
- New Zealand 4-0 up in America's Cup but British show signs of life
- Russian prosecutor demands 3 years prison for French researcher
- 'Innocent' British nerve agent victim caught in global murder plot: inquiry
- Afghan Taliban vow to implement media ban on images of living things
- Russian prosecutor demands 3 years, 3 months jail for French researcher
- England ready for Pakistan's spin assault in second Test
- New Zealand's Ravindra excited for India Tests with father in crowd
- India's capital bans fireworks to curb air pollution
- Stocks diverge, oil retreats as China disappoints markets
- FIFA to open 'global dialogue' on transfer system after Diarra ruling
- Trio wins economics Nobel for work on wealth inequality
- Starmer vows to cut red tape as he urges foreign investors to 'back' UK
- Ex-Stasi officer jailed over 1974 Berlin border killing
- 'Not viable': Barcelona turns against surging tourism
- Hezbollah says targeted Israeli naval base after deadly drone strike
- Rice praises 'unbelievable' England interim boss Carsley despite uncertainty
- Nepali teenager hailed as hero after climbing world's 8,000m peaks
- England captain Stokes back from injury for second Pakistan Test
- Shanghai stocks gain after stimulus briefing as markets rally
- Shanghai stocks gain after stimulus briefing as Asian markets rally
- South Korea military says 'fully ready' as drone flights anger North
- Pakistan 'vigilantes' behind rise in online blasphemy cases
- Nearly 90, but opera legend Kabaivanska is still calling tune
- Smith experiment as Test opener over, Green out of India series
- With inflation down, ECB eyes faster tempo of rate cuts
- Is life possible on a Jupiter moon? NASA goes to investigate
- Dodgers crush Mets 9-0 in MLB playoff series opener
- South Korea military says 'fully ready' as drone tensions soar
- Cummins back, Marsh and Head out of Pakistan ODI series
- Shanghai stocks swing after stimulus briefing as most of Asia rises
- New Zealand's Latham promises 'no fear' as he takes charge for India Tests
- Kyrgios vows to 'shut up' doubters with December comeback
Eurozone markets climb on Fed outlook; London flat before budget
Eurozone stock markets advanced Wednesday on hopes of an end to the US Federal Reserve's interest rate-hiking cycle, but London flatlined before a key budget update.
Sentiment also won a partial boost after Israel and Hamas announced a deal allowing at least 50 hostages and scores of Palestinian prisoners to be freed while offering besieged Gaza residents a four-day truce after weeks of all-out war.
Frankfurt and Paris stocks pushed higher but London flattened as investors awaited a British budget update that will contain measures to boost the nation's ailing economy.
Asian equity indices diverged as traders tracked a tepid lead from Wall Street following meeting minutes showing Fed officials were inclined to keep interest rates elevated for "some time" in order to tame inflation.
Minutes from the Fed's October-November policy meeting showed decision-makers recognised the impact that more than a year of rate hikes has had on inflation -- which has dropped from the four-decade high seen last year -- but were mindful to make sure they got the job done.
Yet many traders remain hopeful that the central bank will opt for a cut at some stage next year.
"With markets heavily focused on the transition from monetary tightening to the timing of the first 2024 rate cut, yesterday's minutes did little to dampen sentiment -- despite their view that rates would remain restrictive for some time yet," said Scope Markets analyst Joshua Mahony.
"With markets currently pricing a 95-percent chance that we have seen the end of the rate-hike cycle, the now commonly-touted stance that the Fed will tighten further if necessary, remains an empty threat unless we see prices take a notable turn upwards."
The upbeat mood has lifted most equities and seen US Treasury yields retreat from 17-year highs, which has in turn pushed the dollar down against other currencies, although it rebounded slightly in Wednesday trading.
All three main indexes on Wall Street ended in the red on Tuesday, with traders starting to wind down ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Key figures around 1130 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 7,482.35 points
Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.5 percent at 7,265.93
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.4 percent at 15,966.36
EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.4 percent at 4,350.44
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.3 percent at 33,451.83 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 17,734.60 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.8 percent at 3,043.61 (close)
New York - DOW: DOWN 0.2 percent at 35,088.29 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0903 from $1.0911 on Tuesday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2530 from $1.2539
Dollar/yen: UP at 149.09 yen from 148.39 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 88.44 pence from 88.36 pence
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.2 percent at $81.90 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.8 percent at $77.18 per barrel
Th.Berger--AMWN