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Kenya denies Rastafarians the right to smoke weed
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India's Sindhu targets medal at home world championships
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Generative AI's power sparks fears of dumbing humans down
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UN warns of cracks in global immunisation system
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'Like my lover': Chinese users bid farewell to AI companions
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Bangkok bar fire toll rises to 32 as PM vows venue overhaul
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Empty skyscrapers: China's property slump still throttling growth
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Badminton underdogs enjoy 'amazing' 16 minutes of fame in Japan
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Cuba slowly gets power back after latest blackout
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US expands sanctions targeting Iran oil, cryptocurrency sectors
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AI demand powers forecast hike, profit gains at tech giant ASML
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'We don't have time': Montenegro's bird haven fading
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Aussie Rules removes Indigenous figure from Hall of Fame
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Dutch tech giant ASML posts gain in second-quarter profits
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France set to adopt assisted dying law in final vote
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US renews blockade, trades strikes with Iran over Hormuz strait
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Australian swimmer O'Callaghan reveals she has spinal fractures
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Australian PM says to enact laws to govern AI
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Argentina and England collide with World Cup final spot at stake
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China's economic growth hits slowest pace in more than three years
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AI ignites 'ignored sector' for Japan chipmaker Kioxia
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Seoul leads Asian stocks higher as US inflation eases rate fears
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Writers union sues to block US Paramount deal
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Duped or spun with juju: how sex trade trafficks Nigerian women
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UK announces social media curfew for older teens
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France fireworks fizzle as Spain advance to World Cup final
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Italy court to rule in deadly bridge collapse case
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Gibraltar and Spain end border checks
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Tuchel unfazed by history ahead of England v Argentina World Cup semi
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UK climate now hotter, sunnier: weather agency
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Scaloni says fatigue not a concern for Argentina in World Cup semi-final
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Rice declared fit to start for England in World Cup semi-final
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LiberNovo 2026 Chair Lineup Marks One Month on Sale as Early Bird Savings Enter Final Countdown
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Mac Allister calls on Argentina to channel Maradona spirit in England World Cup clash
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'Immense disappointment': Mbappe rues end of World Cup dream
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Key battles as England face Argentina in World Cup semi-final
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Viva! Delirium in Madrid as Spain reach World Cup final
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Deschamps says France 'devastated' by defeat, questions referee
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NFL Texans co-founder McNair dead at 89
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IBM shares plunge 25% as AI spending boom disrupts business
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Spain deliver World Cup masterclass against France to reach final
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Majestic Spain stun France to reach World Cup final
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Brook upbeat about England ODI form amid Test captaincy uncertainty
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Nasdaq rebounds as cooling US inflation weighs on dollar
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Record-smashing heat wave surges from West to eastern US, Canada
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Hurdles record holder Tharp claims first win as professional in Budapest
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Wildfires that ravaged historic forest outside Paris contained
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McIlroy and Scheffler unconcerned by their place in golf history
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NY state pauses new large data center projects in US first
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Gill enjoys more Edgbaston success as India beat England in 1st ODI
Stock markets jump as inflation worries ease
Stock markets jumped Thursday after below-forecast US inflation data provided a much-needed shot of relief to investors and revived hopes of further cuts to interest rates.
European and Asian indices gained after a Wall Street rally on Wednesday following also strong earnings from US banks.
The Paris stock market surged more than two percent in midday deals Thursday on big gains for the luxury sector after Cartier owner Richemont reported record quarterly sales.
London rose even as data showed the UK economy expanded at a slower pace than expected in November.
"It is a sea of green in the European equity space and futures contracts are pointing to a stronger open for US stocks," noted Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB trading group.
"There are threats to inflation down the road, but they are concerns for another day.
"For now, stocks are playing catch up, bonds remain stable and the weakening in the dollar in recent days has helped to boost risk sentiment."
Still, there remains a certain amount of caution ahead of Donald Trump returning to the White House next week, having promised to ramp up tariffs on imports, and slash taxes and regulations that many fear could reignite inflation.
Oil prices eased despite uncertainty over a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Gaza's civil defence agency said Thursday that Israel has pounded several areas of the Palestinian territory since the announcement of a ceasefire deal, killing at least 73 people and wounding hundreds.
Israel accused Hamas of backtracking on parts of the deal announced Wednesday.
Crude futures had won strong support since the announcement Friday of fresh US-UK sanctions on Russia's energy sector -- and amid fears Trump will ramp up measures against key producer Iran.
- Key figures around 1045 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 8,369.14 points
Paris - CAC 40: UP 2.0 percent at 7,625.29
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.1 percent at 20,601.39
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.3 percent at 38,572.60 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.2 percent at 19,522.89 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,236.03 (close)
New York - Dow: UP 1.7 percent at 43,221.55 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0291 from $1.0293 on Wednesday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2206 from $1.2239
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 155.66 yen from 156.52 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 84.28 pence from 84.08 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $78.45 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.4 percent at $81.69 per barrel
C.Kovalenko--BTB