IBT Staff Reporter

Thailand's stock market .SETI ended 3 percent higher on Tuesday as investors bought energy big caps .SETEN and banks .SETB on hopes of an early, favourable conclusion to a court case that has halted some industrial activities.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd, Australia's No. 2 oil and gas producer, said on Tuesday about half of the construction workers for its Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) project have gone on strike over housing issues.

The Bank of Japan offered banks more short-term funds after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, relieving government pressure on the central bank to help avert another recession before upper house polls next year.

U.S. stocks were poised for a higher open on Tuesday as concerns over Dubai's debt problems eased and solid manufacturing data from China boosted sentiment as investors awaited a host of U.S. economic reports.

Michael Jackson's death thrust the singer to the top of yahoo.com Internet searches in 2009, putting an end to Britney Spears' four-year reign and helping bump the President Barack Obama from the top 10 list.

U.S. stocks were poised for a higher open on Tuesday as concerns over Dubai's debt problems eased and solid manufacturing data from China boosted sentiment as investors awaited a host of U.S. economic reports.

Before deciding where to buy a laptop for his daughter on Black Friday, Nate Bryan was scouring the web for deals. But he was not just looking at retailers' websites.

Wine from the cellars of a woman once dubbed the richest little girl in the world will be up for auction next month at Christie's in New York.

U.S. stocks were poised for a higher open on Tuesday as concerns over Dubai's debt problems eased and solid manufacturing data from China boosted sentiment as investors awaited a host of U.S. economic reports.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday as concerns over Dubai's debt problems eased and investors awaited a host of economic data, including pending home sales.

In Somalia's main pirate lair of Haradheere, the sea gangs have set up a cooperative to fund their hijackings offshore, a sort of stock exchange meets criminal syndicate.

News, details on corporate bond issues in the European markets on Tuesday:

The yen fell broadly on Tuesday after the Bank of Japan announced more monetary policy easing measures to fight deflation and help the ailing economy, while holding interest rates at 0.1 percent.

Dhanya SkariachanStaples Inc reported quarterly results that topped analyst estimates and forecast a sales rise in the current quarter as trends improve at its North American retail business.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday as concerns over Dubai's debt problems eased and investors awaited a host of economic data, including pending home sales.

Vivendi shares rose on Tuesday as hopes mounted that Europe's largest entertainment group was close to selling its stake in U.S. media group NBCU and getting cash to fund its growth plans.

Britain's top share index was up 1.7 percent at midday on Tuesday, with banks and miners topping the leader board as concerns abated over Dubai's debt problems.

Top mobile phone maker Nokia said on Tuesday it filed suits in Britain and the United States last week alleging a number of leading technology firms operate cartels for mobile phone and monitor displays.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday as concerns about Dubai's debt problems eased and investors awaited a host of economic data, including pending home sales.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday as concerns about Dubai's debt problems eased and investors awaited a host of economic data, including pending home sales.

The Bank of Japan offered banks more short-term funds after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, relieving government pressure on the central bank to help avert another recession before upper house polls next year.

Gulf markets dropped again on Tuesday, taking little comfort from Dubai World's plan to restructure about $26 billion of debt, while the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai talked up their economic strength

Debt in Dubai and the interplay of politics and IMF deals in Ukraine, Romania and Latvia provide the main political risks to regional emerging markets in December, while in Nigeria presidential health will be in focus.

Staples Inc reported quarterly results that topped analyst estimates and forecast a sales rise of 1 percent to 3 percent in the current quarter as trends improve at its North American retail business.

The Bank of Japan offered banks more short-term funds after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, winning an immediate reprieve from government pressure to help avert recession before upper house polls next year.

Euro zone unemployment remained stable at an 11-year high in October but September jobless numbers were higher than previously reported, showing the labour market has yet to feel the effects of nascent economic recovery.

Kraft Foods Inc is favorite to take over Cadbury Plc despite interest from Hershey Co and Ferrero, and talk of Nestle SA involvement, said analyst Andrew Wood at Sanford Bernstein.

Gold hit record highs at $1,198.70 an ounce in Europe on Tuesday as the dollar weakened against a basket of currencies in the wake of policy comments from the Bank of Japan, adding to strong investment demand for the metal.

Worries about Dubai's debt slipped away on financial markets on Tuesday, allowing stocks to put in solid gains and weakening low-yield assets such as the dollar.