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- Storm Helene's toll rises as rescue and cleanup efforts gain pace
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- SpaceX set to launch mission to return stranded astronauts
- Storm Helene kills 44, threatens more 'catastrophic' flooding
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- Japan's speedy, spotless Shinkansen bullet trains turn 60
- US hurricane deaths rise to 44, fears of more 'catastrophic' flooding
- Global stocks mostly rise, cheering Beijing stimulus
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- Argentina judge orders dictionary to delete pejorative definition of 'Jewish'
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- Chinese stocks extend surge, Europe higher on Beijing stimulus
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- China caps week of 'bazooka' stimulus for ailing economy with rate cut
- Cuts, cash, credit: China bids to jumpstart flagging economy
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- Iran treads carefully, backing Hezbollah while avoiding war
- Return to sender: waste stranded at sea stirs toxic dispute
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- On remote Greek island, migratory birds offer climate clues
- Taken from mother by nuns, victim seeks answers as pope visits Belgium
- China cuts amount banks hold in reserve to boost lending
- Hong Kong, Shanghai extend surge as China optimism boosts markets
- Vietnam president reiterates support for Cuba during official visit
- Drought reduces Amazon River in Colombia by as much as 90%: report
- Stay or go? Pacific Islanders face climate's grim choice
- Florida bracing for 'unsurvivable' Hurricane Helene
- Poverty rises to over 52 percent in Milei's Argentina
- Chloe's see-through look may not be for Kamala Harris
- Champagne houses abuzz over English sparkling wine
- Macron, Trudeau pledge to work for 'decarbonized' economies
- Hurricanes, storms, typhoons... Is September wetter than usual?
- China stimulus, tech optimism boost stock markets
- 'Unsurvivable' Hurricane Helene races towards Florida
- Macron meets Trudeau in Canada as both face political setbacks
- South Korea surges in UN innovation index
- Chloe's see-through look may not be for Kamala
- Floods threaten Niger's historic 'gateway to the desert'
- China economy hopes boost global equities
- Ubisoft shares sink after 'Assassin's Creed' delay
- German economy to shrink again in 2024: think tanks
Stocks steady as traders mull interest rate outlooks
Stock markets largely steadied Monday with sentiment dominated by the outlook for interest rate rises as inflation soars.
A forecast-busting US jobs report Friday reinforced optimism that the world's top economy was well on the recovery track, but also ramped up expectations of an interest rate hike by the Fed in March.
It comes as surging global inflation resulted in the Bank of England last week hiking its main interest rate for a second meeting in a row, while the European Central Bank signalled that it may raise borrowing costs this year.
"There are plenty of reasons for investors to be cautious," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
"Strong US jobs data last week might suggest the Fed pushes up rates faster and harder than currently expected. Ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Moscow also hang over markets."
With US inflation data this week tipped to show prices rising at a pace not seen in 40 years, traders are becoming increasingly anguished that Federal Reserve rate hike plans could jeopardise the recovery.
There is mounting talk that the US central bank will have to hike borrowing costs at least four times this year -- with some predicting as many as seven rises could occur.
Elsewhere Monday, oil prices retreated after European benchmark contract, Brent North Sea crude, hit $94 -- the highest level for more than seven years.
Expectations that energy demand will continue to improve as the world economy reopens, as well as a cold snap in the United States and uncertainty over the Russia-Ukraine stand-off are expected to keep crude futures well supported according to analysts.
Still, signs of a breakthrough in Iran nuclear talks could help staunch the surge, they added.
- Key figures around 1200 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,537.48 points
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.2 percent at 15,124.05
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.1 percent at 6,942.35
EURO STOXX 50: FLAT at 4,085.22
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.7 percent at 27,248.87 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 24,579.55 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: UP 2.0 percent at 3,429.58 (close)
New York - Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 35,089.74 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1444 from $1.1453 Friday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3514 from $1.3527
Euro/pound: UP at 84.68 pence from 84.65 pence
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 114.92 yen from 115.21 yen
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.3 percent at $93.03 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.8 percent at $91.57 per barrel
J.Bondarev--CPN