- Ireland's O'Toole banned for two Six Nations games
- Syria announces end of Homs security sweep: state media
- Divisive study finds link between fluoride and childhood IQ loss
- South Africa wrap up Test series win over Pakistan
- 'Golf reimagined' - TGL circuit backed by Woods and McIlroy tees off
- European, US stock markets rise as Trump tariff plans in question
- Canada's Trudeau expected to announce resignation amid political crisis
- Israel says Hamas knows 'exactly' where hostages are after offer
- Eastern US digs in as major winter storm wreaks havoc
- Small Uruguayan town seeks place on international art map
- Rugby 'superstar' Maher on a mission to promote women's game
- Biden issues major coastal protection before Trump handover
- European leaders hit back in Elon Musk meddling row
- Samoa coach stands down after sexual misconduct charges
- EU rules don't prohibit Musk's German far-right chat on X
- France's Sarkozy on trial over alleged Kadhafi financing pact
- Van Dijk defends Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool star's Man Utd flop
- Austria's president tasks far right to form govt in historic first
- Man Utd's Dalot says Amorim's 'pinch' inspired him against Liverpool
- Nepal suspends helicopters in Everest region after protests
- Macron urges 'realistic' expectations from Ukraine on territory
- 'Protect our people': Armed Syrian volunteers watch over Damascus
- Al Rajhi, Sanders win 48-hour stages at Dakar Rally
- Kasatkina, Badosa roll into Adelaide second round as Vekic crashes
- Stock markets diverge as traders eye Trump 2.0
- Israel says Hamas has not given 'status of hostages' it says ready to free
- Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby faces final day in role
- Jailed ex-Malaysian leader Najib moves closer to house arrest
- France's ex-president Sarkozy on trial over alleged Kadhafi pact
- Kenya Airways shares trade again after four-year hiatus
- India gazes into life without Kohli, Rohit after Australia defeat
- Russia says captured key town in eastern Ukraine
- South Korea's Yoon set to avoid arrest by warrant deadline
- Japan PM says blocked US Steel deal could hit investments
- Indonesian FA to unveil European coach after sacking S. Korean
- Asian markets mixed as traders eye Trump 2.0
- Charlie Hebdo unveils special edition 10 years since attack
- North Korea fires missile as Blinken warns of Russia cooperation
- Myanmar addicts battle their demons in the 'House of Love'
- Kasatkina rolls into Adelaide second round as Vekic crashes
- South Korea investigators ask police to arrest Yoon
- Indonesia launches ambitious free-meal programme to combat stunting
- 'Emilia Perez,' 'The Brutalist' win at diverse Golden Globes
- North Korea fires missile as Blinken seeks stability in South
- Lions take NFC top seed, Broncos and Bucs into NFL playoffs
- Australia set sights on world domination after taming India
- Venezuela opposition seeks army backing, leader to meet Biden
- US lawmakers to certify Trump win, four years after Capitol riot
- Most Asian markets cautiously higher as traders eye Trump 2.0
- 'Emilia Perez,' Demi Moore among winners at Golden Globes
European stocks retreat further before US inflation data
European stock markets slid for a second session running Friday and the dollar dropped as investors grow concerned about the economic outlook for next year.
All eyes will be on US inflation data later in the session to see if it alters interest-rate cut expectations for the world's biggest economy.
The Federal Reserve this week trimmed US borrowing costs but signalled fewer cuts than had been expected for 2025.
Oil prices have also fallen since the Fed announcement.
"Markets remain cautious ahead of US inflation figures," noted Derren Nathan, head of equity research at stockbrokers Hargreaves Lansdown.
Paris and Frankfurt were down about 1.2 percent in late morning trade, while London lost 1.1 percent.
All three indices shed similar amounts by the close Thursday.
Leading Asian equity markets ended the week with slight losses after Wall Street steadied.
Traders are awaiting the release Friday of data on US personal consumption expenditure -- the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation and the last major piece of data for the year.
Wall Street provided a meek lead Thursday, having squandered an early bounce from Wednesday's plunge that had been sparked by the Fed's changed outlook over rates.
Data showing a forecast-topping rise in US economic growth and consumer spending did little to ease concerns that the Fed would keep borrowing costs higher for longer.
Official figures Friday revealed tepid retail sales in the UK in the runup to Christmas, hurting local government efforts to grow the British economy.
Investors are keeping a watch also on developments in Washington.
The House of Representatives has rejected a Republican-led funding bill to avert a government shutdown, with federal agencies due to run out of cash Friday night and cease operations from this weekend.
The legislation would have kept the government open through March and suspended the borrowing limit for president-elect Donald Trump's first two years in office.
- Key figures around 1045 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 1.1 percent at 8,018.56 points
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 1.2 percent at 7,206.22
Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 1.2 percent at 19,725.94
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.3 percent at 38,701.90 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 19,720.70 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,368.07 (close)
New York - Dow: UP less than 0.1 percent at 42,342.24 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0388 from $1.0364 on Thursday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2509 from $1.2496
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 156.73 yen from 157.35 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 83.06 pence from 82.91 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.0 percent at $68.72 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.0 percent at $72.19 per barrel
D.Sawyer--AMWN