- 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
- 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
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
Wall Street stocks rebound despite government shutdown threat
Wall Street stocks rebounded Thursday from sharp losses over the prospect of fewer US rate cuts next year despite the looming threat of a government shutdown.
The sharp losses in New York after Federal Reserve signalled Wednesday fewer cuts to US interest rates next year dragged down equities in Asia and Europe.
The dollar initially rallied on the outlook, with the yen under pressure Thursday also after the Bank of Japan kept borrowing costs unchanged, but it later gave up those gains against the euro and pound.
The Bank of England held its key interest rate steady due to UK inflation rising again, and it did not commit to when or by how much it will cut rates in 2025.
While that decision was widely expected, more BoE policymakers voted for a cut, which sent the pound trimming its gains against the dollar and falling against the euro.
The split suggests "members may be more nervous about the state of the economy than originally thought", said Daniela Sabin Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com.
Wall Street's main indices rose at the start of trading on Thursday, with the Dow climbing 0.7 percent.
"It is a textbook reaction to a large selloff, but like yesterday, how the market opens isn't as important as how it finishes," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare.
All three main indices in New York were sent spinning lower on Wednesday -- led by a rout of high-flying tech titans.
"In brief, the stark reality hit that the policy rate won't be coming down as much as previously hoped (key word) and that interest rates are apt to remain higher for longer as policy makers contemplate a future that could involve sticky inflation due to ongoing growth, the wealth effect, possible trade wars, and the deportation of illegal immigrants," said O'Hare.
Investors appeared unfazed for the moment at the possibility of a US government shutdown.
US President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk urged Republican lawmakers on Wednesday to scupper a cross-party deal to avert a halt in non-essential government operations in the early hours of Saturday.
- Key figures around 1430 GMT -
New York - Dow: UP 0.7 percent at 42,614.03 points
New York - S&P 500: UP 0.7 percent at 5,915.37
New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.9 percent at 19,569.95
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 1.1 percent at 8,110.55
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 1.1 percent at 7,302.13
Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 1.0 percent at 20,031.45
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.7 percent at 38,813.58 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.6 percent at 19,752.51 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,370.03 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0400 from $1.0365
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2589 from $1.2581
Dollar/yen: UP at 157.15 yen from 154.73 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 82.61 pence from 82.38 pence
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.6 percent at $73.82 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $70.50 per barrel
burs-rl/ju
D.Cunningha--AMWN