- UK's Labour govt prepares to unveil its first budget
- New Zealand eye history after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- Guardiola backs Man City's Foden to emerge from slump
- England reeling at 24-3 after gritty Shakeel century
- Pakistan judicial reforms see next top judge passed over
- Germany promises more visas for Indians during Scholz visit
- Postecoglou says hype will not affect teenage star Moore
- PSG reject league order to pay Mbappe 55 mn euros in back pay
- Olympic champion Zheng finds mojo to reach Tokyo semis
- Gritty Shakeel century gives Pakistan lead over England in third Test
- Tropical storm leaves towns submerged, 76 dead in Philippines
- Ancelotti 'not losing sleep' over improved Barca ahead of Clasico
- New Zealand lead by 301 after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- Stock markets diverge in steady end to week
- UK climate strategy ruled lawful in landmark court case
- Lebanon says Israeli strike that killed media workers a 'war crime'
- Slot targets Arsenal scalp after flying start for Liverpool
- Shakeel's gritty century lifts Pakistan to parity in third Test
- Uganda court sentences former LRA commander to 40 years
- Marc Marquez clocks lap record to go fastest in Thai MotoGP practice
- Smog in Pakistan megacity ends outdoor play for schoolkids
- New Zealand on top after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- 'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel killed its leader
- 'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel's killed its leader
- Lebanon minister says Israel strike puts second Syria crossing out of service
- Ahmed triple strike leaves Pakistan 187-7 in third Test
- Lebanon says Israeli strike killed 3 media workers
- Asia markets diverge after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Tunisian freediver Walid Boudhiaf eyes records and developing the sport
- Schauffele makes up ground in Japan after opening-day nightmare
- Santner takes seven as New Zealand bowl out India for 156
- Lebanon says Israeli strike kills 3 journalists
- Beyonce v Joe Rogan: stars power up US election
- Locals fume as Lisbon's historic trams become tourist 'toy'
- India 107-7 after Santner takes four wickets for New Zealand
- Myanmar rebels take the road to Mandalay
- Taiwan president says 'won't yield an inch' in defence of island's territory
- Thunder roll past Jokic's Nuggets to open NBA campaign
- Bezzecchi quickest in opening practice for Thai MotoGP
- Commonwealth struggles to overcome splits over brutal past
- Stafford throws four touchdowns as Rams beat Vikings
- More than 150 Rohingya refugees rescued off Indonesia: UN
- Thai massacre families demand justice as charge deadline expires
- Asia markets split after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Stung in Europe, Bayern and Dortmund face tricky away trips
- Confident Barca visit unpredictable Liga champions Madrid
- Arsenal face must-win match against Premier League pacesetters Liverpool
- Parra's Stade Francais 'lacking confidence' before hosting Clermont
- 'Our pride': Lone child brings hope to Japan's puppet village
- Thompson nets first USA goal in 3-1 friendly win over Iceland
Stock markets diverge in steady end to week
Major European and Asian stock markets diverged Friday in a quiet end to the week's trading dominated by earnings updates.
London edged down as investors awaited the first budget of Britain's new Labour government on Wednesday, expected to include tax rises on businesses.
In Asia, Shanghai and Hong Kong markets rose amid hopes of stronger growth in China following the country's recent moves to try and stimulate its stalling economy.
Crude futures climbed and the dollar was mixed versus main rivals heading into the weekend break.
"Oil prices have shifted higher, with Brent crude heading towards $75 a barrel... as concerns about the Middle East stay in focus," noted Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown.
Tokyo's stock market closed down and the yen dipped against the dollar ahead of Japan's national elections Sunday.
Independent analyst Stephen Innes pointed to uncertainty over the vote and an upcoming Bank of Japan policy meeting as complicating the outlook for Japanese equities.
"Between election jitters and BoJ chess moves, Tokyo markets are probably in for a busy opening on Monday."
Focus this week has been on earnings as major companies worldwide report on their third-quarter performances.
In London around midday, shares in British bank NatWest jumped more than three percent after the lender posted a strong increase in profits, with income higher thanks to interest rates remaining elevated.
Mercedes-Benz stock slipped nearly one percent after the German luxury carmaker said group profits slumped more than 50 percent, hit by weakness in the key Chinese market.
On the upside, data Friday showed Germany's business confidence rebounded in October, snapping a four-month streak of declines and offering some rare good news for Europe's beleaguered top economy.
- Key figures around 1045 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 8,259.03 points
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,491.19
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.1 at 19,460.69
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.6 percent at 37,913.92 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.5 percent at 20,590.15 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,299.70 (close)
New York - Dow: DOWN 0.3 percent at 42,374.36 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0826 from $1.0832 on Thursday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2986 from $1.2972
Dollar/yen: UP at 151.88 yen from 151.83 yen
Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.37 pence from 83.47 pence
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.6 percent at $74.79 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.6 percent at $70.61 per barrel
burs-bcp/ajb/rl
J.Horn--BTB