- Masood hits first ton for four years to power Pakistan to 233-1
- Fritz wins delayed match to reach Shanghai Masters third round
- Naomi Osaka pulls out of Japan Open with back injury
- Weather may delay launch of mission to study deflected asteroid
- China to flesh out economic stimulus plans after bumper rally
- Artist Marina Abramovic hopes first China show offers tech respite
- Asian markets track Wall St rally on US jobs data
- Pakistan 122-1 at lunch in first England Test
- Kazakhs approve plan for first nuclear power plant
- World marks anniversary of Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- 'Second family': tennis stars hunt winning formula with new coaches
- Philippines, South Korea agree to deepen maritime cooperation
- Mexico mayor murdered days after taking office
- Sardinia's sheep farmers battle bluetongue as climate warms
- Japan govt admits doctoring 'untidy' cabinet photo
- Israel marks first anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack
- Darvish tames Ohtani as Padres thrash Dodgers
- Asian markets track Wall St rally on jobs data
- Family affair as LeBron, Bronny James make Lakers bow
- Cancer, cardiovascular drugs tipped for Nobel as prize week opens
- As Great Salt Lake dries, Utah Republicans pardon Trump climate skepticism
- Amazon activist warns of 'critical situation' ahead of UN forum
- Mourners pay tribute to latest victims of deadly Channel crossing
- Tunisia incumbent Saied set to win presidential vote: exit polls
- Phillies win thriller to level Mets series
- Yu bags first PGA Tour win with playoff win
- PSG held by Nice to leave Monaco clear at top of Ligue 1
- AC Milan fall at Fiorentina after De Gea's penalty heroics
- Lewandowski treble for leaders Barca as Atletico held
- Fresh Israeli strikes hit south Beirut
- Sucic stunner earns Real Sociedad draw against Atletico
- PSG draw with Nice, fail to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1
- Gudmundsson downs AC Milan after De Gea's penalty heroics for Fiorentina
- 'Yes' vote prevails in Kazakhstan nuclear plant vote: TV
- 'Difficult day': Oct 7 commemorations begin with festival memorial
- Commemorations begin for anniversary of attack on Israel
- Lewandowski hat-trick powers Liga leaders Barca to Alaves victory
- 'Nothing gets in way of team,' says Celtics' MVP hopeful Tatum
- India maintain Pakistan stranglehold as Windies cruise at Women's T20 World Cup
- 'We will win!': Mozambique's ruling party confident at final vote rally
- Tunisia voting ends as Saied eyes re-election with critics behind bars
- Florida braces for Milton, FEMA head slams 'dangerous' Helene misinformation
- Postecoglou slams 'unacceptable' Spurs after 'terrible' loss at Brighton
- Marmoush double denies Bayern outright Bundesliga top spot
- Rallies worldwide call for Gaza, Lebanon ceasefire
- Maresca hails Chelsea's 'fighting' spirit after draw with 10-man Forest
- New 'Joker' film, a dark musical, tops N.America box office
- Man Utd stalemate keeps Ten Hag in danger, Spurs rocked by Brighton
- Drowned by hurricane, remote N.Carolina towns now struggle for water
- Vikings hold off Jets in London to stay unbeaten
Stock markets diverge on rates, US election debate watch
Global stock markets diverged Tuesday as traders assessed the outlook for interest rates in the United States and Europe and awaited the US presidential debate.
Wall Street's main indices opened modestly after rallying on Monday following a plunge late last week.
The sole scheduled debate between US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is a potentially game-changing moment for the 2024 US presidential election.
The tepid US stocks gain "has to do in part with some hesitancy in front of tonight's presidential debate and some hesitation to see if there will be follow through on yesterday's rebound effort," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare.
Monday's strong gains on Wall Street followed a slump Friday after disappointing US jobs data rekindled fears the Federal Reserve had waited too long to begin cutting interest rates and the economy could fall into recession.
Investors were also looking ahead to US inflation data due Wednesday.
"Tomorrow's US inflation figures could be the next key test of investor sentiment," noted AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut US interest rates at next week's meeting but debate surrounds whether it will be by 25 or 50 basis points, with some arguing that going for the bigger option could suggest decision-makers are worried.
"Financial markets have shifted their focus from bringing down inflation to shoring up economic growth," said Saira Malik, chief investment officer at asset manager Nuveen.
"Market volatility has climbed amid downside surprises in macroeconomic data -- especially labour market indicators."
Official data in Britain on Tuesday showed wages grew at the slowest pace in two years, indicating that the Bank of England could next week decide against cutting interest rates for a second meeting in a row.
The pound firmed against the dollar and euro on the data, while London's FTSE 100 stock index -- featuring numerous multinationals earning in the US currency -- dropped.
In the eurozone, Paris edged higher and Frankfurt slid in afternoon deals.
The European Central Bank holds a monetary policy meeting on Thursday and is widely expected to deliver another interest rate cut.
Fresh worries about China's economy are also dampening sentiment, with a mixed bag on trade doing little to encourage investors and weighing on oil prices.
Data showed exports jumped in August but imports fell well short of expectations as the country's leaders struggle to boost consumption.
That came a day after news that inflation rose less than expected in July, reinforcing the view that moves to boost consumer demand and business activity have not taken hold.
China's leaders are now facing pressure to unveil fresh stimulus for the world's number two economy, although they have shown little desire to embark on the bazooka-like spending seen during the global financial crisis.
- Key figures around 1330 GMT -
New York - Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 40,892.92 points
New York - S&P 500: UP 0.4 percent at 5,491.15
New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.4 percent at 16,949.64
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5 percent at 8,233.17
Paris - CAC 40: UP less than 0.1 percent at 7,430.52
Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.5 percent at 18,343.57
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.2 percent at 36,159.16 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 17,234.09 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 2,744.19 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1036 from $1.1041 on Monday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3071 from $1.3075
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 143.08 yen from 143.11 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 84.43 pence from 84.42 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.5 percent at $68.35 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.6 percent at $71.44 per barrel
burs-rl/lth
D.Cunningha--AMWN