UNITED STATES

Global stocks rallied on Thursday after strong Wall Street gains in the previous session, as the prospect of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts boosted faith in the U.S. economy and encouraged investors to take on risk again.

The dollar rose broadly on Thursday as investors bet that the perceived likelihood of more U.S. interest rate cuts will help avoid a recession.

An explosion crippled the biggest pipeline supplying Canadian crude to U.S. Midwest refineries, shutting off more than 1 million barrels per day of imports to the world's biggest consumer.

Shares of Freddie Mac surged on Wednesday as strong demand for a record preferred stock issue signaled the second-biggest provider of U.S. home funding could access capital even in turbulent markets.

Software maker Adobe Systems Inc and Internet company Yahoo Inc said on Wednesday they will offer a service to let publishers run advertisements in Adobe's popular document-reading format.

Metal Gear Solid 4 is not only one of the most eagerly awaited games for Sony's PlayStation 3, it is also among the last of a dying breed -- games designed exclusively for one gaming console.

Find a high-tech ping-pong pal, see an android patient twitch in pain and experience breast feeding, even if you're a man.

A cyber cold war waged over the world's computers threatens to become one of the biggest threats to security in the next decade.

Gold held firm above $800 an ounce on Thursday as oil prices soared, but prices were locked into narrow ranges as a firmer dollar dulled the metal's attraction for non-U.S. investors.

Oil surged more than $4 a barrel on Thursday after an explosion at a major pipeline temporarily halted nearly a fifth of crude oil imports to top consumer the United States.

Nintendo of America has broken its own sales records in the first week of this holiday shopping season, and analysts fear there may not be enough supply to meet the demand.

The dollar fell against the euro on Wednesday, after a Fed report that the U.S. economy is slowing down more, and signs from the central bank that a further cut in interest rates may be possible.

Demand for U.S. goods had a set-back as orders for its durable goods fell more than forecast in October with companies losing confidence in the possibility of economic expansion. Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Donald Kohn today warned that turbulence may discourage businesses and consumers from spending. Economists also added less investment adds to risks that growth will falter and force the central bank to cut interest rates again. James O'Sullivan, a senior economist at UBS Securities LLC in Stamford, Connecticut, projected orders would drop 0.5 percent. We do expect growth to be weak for the next couple of quarters, he said. The department of Commerce revealed on Wednesday that the demand for cars, planes and other items was down by 0.4 percent for years, with September this year posting further 1.4 percent decline noting that demand fell by 0.7 percent. Economists forecast a 0.1 percent drop in orders after against 1.7 percent decline that was posted in September.

Crude oil fell 4 percent on Wednesday after a U.S. government report said stockpiles dropped less than expected, reducing worries over supply.

Gold futures dropped nearly 2 percent on Wednesday following gains in the dollar and lower oil prices causing traders to lose appeal for the metal.

Gold slid under the $800 mark in increasingly volatile conditions on Wednesday, as softer oil prices and a firmer dollar against the euro dented the metal's wider appeal for investors.

Oil prices tumbled 4 percent on Wednesday, after a U.S. government report showed crude stockpiles fell less than expected last week, easing supply concerns in the world's top consumer.

Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) said on Wednesday it would recall 215,020 units of the Lexus GS, Crown and three other high-end car models in Japan to fix a faulty fuel pipe that could lead to a fuel leakage.

Bear Stearns Cos Inc (BSC.N) is cutting 650 jobs or 4 percent of its global workforce as the investment bank seeks to lower costs after losing bets on risky subprime mortgages. Of those cuts, around 20 will be in London, both in the front and back office, a source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday. The bank employs about 1,500 in London.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics said on Wednesday oversupply of memory chips used in personal computers was expected to ease in 2008 as growing demand for portable gadgets prompts a shift in production to flash chips.

The European Union, United States and Russia urged Serbs and Albanians on Wednesday to avert any slide to violence following the failure of their talks on the future of the breakaway province of Kosovo. Kosovo's 90-percent Albanian majority is preparing to declare independence within months, and is counting on recognition from Washington and the major EU capitals -- a move Serbia says will unleash chaos in the fragile Balkans.