- Clock ticks down on France government nomination
- 'Devastated' Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Mozambique on edge as judges rule on disputed election
- Mobile cinema brings Tunisians big screen experience
- Philippines says to acquire US Typhon missile system
- Honda and Nissan to launch merger talks
- Police arrest suspect who set woman on fire in New York subway
- China vows 'cooperation' over ship linked to severed Baltic Sea cables
- Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate fears
- Luxury Western goods line Russian stores, three years into sanctions
- Wallace and Gromit return with comic warning about AI dystopia
- Philippine military says will acquire US Typhon missile system
- Afghan bread, the humble centrepiece of every meal
- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - December 23
- Melrose Group Publicly Files Complaint to the Ontario Securities Commission
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
European stocks rebound, oil higher in major trading week
Europe's main stock markets recovered Monday following gains in Asia and a pre-weekend rally on Wall Street, as traders look ahead to key policy decisions by OPEC and central banks as well as US jobs data.
Share prices began the week higher following volatile trading in recent sessions as investors track concerns over high inflation and interest rate rises plus Covid uncertainty and the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
"There's no shortage of risk events for the markets this week with rate decisions from the Bank of England and the ECB (European Central Bank), the US jobs report and a slew of earnings," noted Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor.
Most Asian stock markets closed higher Monday, though traders remained nervous about the Federal Reserve's plan to hike US interest rates as it battles surging inflation.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq led the strong finish for US equities Friday thanks to soaring fourth-quarter profits at Apple, which lifted optimism about consumer spending and the economic recovery.
The strong performance, coupled with strong US economic data, filtered through to Asia, where trade was thinned by investors winding down ahead of the three-day Lunar New Year break that starts Tuesday.
- Rates in focus -
The gains followed a period of upheaval across world markets as the Fed readies to withdraw the vast financial support put in place at the start of the pandemic, which has fuelled a near two-year equity rally.
Observers debate the Fed's likely moves as US inflation sits at a four-decade high, with some saying it could hike up to seven times before 2023, with an initial 50 basis point move in March.
The Bank of England is widely expected to increase its main interest rate by a quarter-point Thursday to 0.5 percent.
That follows its decision in December to increase borrowing costs from a record-low 0.1 percent to 0.25 percent to combat decades-high inflation.
This week sees also an ECB policy update.
ECB chief Christine Lagarde has downplayed inflation concerns, arguing that the forces pushing up prices across the eurozone are expected to ease over 2022.
Official data Monday showed the eurozone economy grew 5.2 percent last year after a pandemic-induced recession.
Markets reacted positively to the re-election of President Sergio Mattarella in eurozone member Italy over the weekend.
Milan's FTSE MIB index was up 1.1 percent in late morning deals.
"The result of Italy's presidential vote has gone down well in the markets," said Capital Economics analyst Jack Allen-Reynolds, noting that government bond yields fell.
The only other serious contender for the job -- Prime Minister Mario Draghi -- was needed at the head of government to keep Rome on track with major reforms to the tax and justice systems and public sector.
- Oil up before OPEC -
Oil prices were higher as OPEC and its allies prepare to meet Wednesday to discuss a further increase in output.
Brent crude last week surpassed $90 per barrel, a level last seen in October 2014.
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude hit its highest level in more than seven years earlier this month, fuelled by easing concerns about the Omicron Covid variant and geopolitical tensions.
Analysts have said that if Russia sends troops into Ukraine, crude prices could top $100 for the first time since 2014.
- Key figures around 1015 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 7,480.44 points
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 1.3 percent at 15,515.41
Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.9 percent at 7,024.95
EURO STOXX 50: UP 1.3 percent at 4,189.18
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.1 percent at 27,001.98 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.1 percent at 23,802.26 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: Closed for a holiday
New York - Dow: UP 1.7 percent at 34,725.47 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1178 from $1.1158 Friday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3445 from $1.3389
Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.13 pence from 83.16 pence
Dollar/yen: UP at 115.39 yen from 115.24 yen
Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.5 percent at $88.97 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.8 percent at $87.51 per barrel
L.Durand--AMWN