HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asia stocks rose for a fifth day on Thursday, helped by hopes that policymakers' efforts will ultimately prevail after China's big rate cut, though U.S. data provided an ominous reminder of the global slowdown.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Thanksgiving Day may mean leisurely time with family for many Americans, but some U.S. stores were set to open to shoppers on the holiday itself, hoping to salvage what could be a disastrous holiday sales season.

KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber struck a convoy of foreign troops near the U.S. embassy in Kabul on Thursday, killing one civilian and wounding six, the head of the Afghan capital's police force said.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China warned on Thursday its economic downturn was deepening with the spread of the global financial crisis, raising the specter of job losses and social unrest in the world's most populous nation.

AP - Teams of gunmen stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, a crowded train station and a Jewish group's headquarters in India's financial capital, killing at least 101 people, taking Westerners hostage and leaving parts of the city under siege Thursday, police said. A group of suspected Muslim militants claimed responsibility.

AP - Police on Wednesday arrested a man on a capital murder charge in the beating death of a popular television anchorwoman but offered neither a motive behind the attack nor details about why they suspected him.

Reuters - Asia stocks rose for a fifth day on Thursday, helped by hopes that policymakers' efforts will ultimately prevail after China's big rate cut, though U.S. data provided an ominous reminder of the global slowdown.

Reuters - Thanksgiving Day may mean leisurely time with family for many Americans, but some U.S. stores were set to open to shoppers on the holiday itself, hoping to salvage what could be a disastrous holiday sales season.

Reuters - A suicide car bomber struck a convoy of foreign troops near the U.S. embassy in Kabul on Thursday, killing one civilian and wounding six, the head of the Afghan capital's police force said.

Reuters - China warned on Thursday its economic downturn was deepening with the spread of the global financial crisis, raising the specter of job losses and social unrest in the world's most populous nation.

AFP - Army commandos laid siege Thursday to two luxury hotels in Mumbai where gunmen held foreign guests hostage as part of coordinated attacks across India's financial capital that left up to 100 dead.

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asia stocks posted a fifth day of gains on Thursday, supported by hopes that policy action will ultimately prevail after China slashed borrowing costs, though U.S. data underscored the scale of the global slowdown.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi lawmakers prepared for a grueling round of talks on Thursday over a long-awaited pact setting a deadline for U.S. troops to leave the country.

KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber struck a convoy of foreign troops near the U.S. embassy in Kabul on Thursday, killing four civilians, the government said.

AP - The cigarette industry for 42 years has made factual claims about tar and nicotine levels based on machine testing blessed by the Federal Trade Commission.

AP - President George W. Bush is spending Thanksgiving at his Camp David retreat, thankful for his almost-expired 'privilege of serving as the president.'

AP - The national security adviser doesn't require Senate confirmation, nor does the job come with the muscle of a large federal agency.

AP - Asian stocks rose Thursday after Wall Street posted another gain and China slashed interest rates by the most in a decade to boost economic growth. Indian markets were closed after deadly attacks in the country's financial capital.

AP - Thailand's Cabinet, meeting outside the capital to evade anti-government demonstrators, was weighing whether to impose a state of emergency Thursday to try to end airport protests that have left thousands of travelers stranded for two straight days.

AP - Early this month, when it looked like same-sex marriage was on the rocks in California, gay rights activists summed up their angst about the upcoming Proposition 8 vote with four wistful words: What would Harvey do?

AP - Even with a hobbled Tyler Hansbrough, top-ranked North Carolina breezed through the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

Reuters - Asia stocks posted a fifth day of gains on Thursday, supported by hopes that policy action will ultimately prevail after China slashed borrowing costs, though U.S. data underscored the scale of the global slowdown.

Reuters - Swiss bank UBS, at the center of a high-profile U.S. investigation into offshore services it offered to wealthy Americans, said Thursday it had uncovered a 'limited number' of tax fraud cases.

Reuters - Iraqi lawmakers prepared for a grueling round of talks on Thursday over a long-awaited pact setting a deadline for U.S. troops to leave the country.

Reuters - A suicide car bomber struck a convoy of foreign troops near the U.S. embassy in Kabul on Thursday, killing four civilians, the government said.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian commandos freed hostages from Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel on Thursday but battled on with Islamist militants who launched an audacious attack across India's financial capital, killing more than 100 people.

LONDON (Reuters) - Global stocks rose to their highest level in nearly two weeks on Thursday with European equities buoyed by sharp gains in Asia and the United States, dampening demand for safer assets such as government debt.

LUCERNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Swiss bank UBS, at the center of a U.S. investigation into offshore services it provided to wealthy Americans, said on Thursday it had uncovered a 'limited number' of tax fraud cases.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China warned on Thursday its economic downturn was deepening with the spread of the global financial crisis, raising the specter of job losses and social unrest in the world's most populous nation.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat urged the army to stay in its barracks on Thursday amid rumors of an imminent coup after increasingly violent anti-government protests in Bangkok.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil fell below $53 a barrel on Thursday after a very bearish set of U.S. stocks and oil demand data increased worries over falling oil demand.

AP - A frog, an elephant and a Smurf came to life as crews inflated 13 giant balloons for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

AP - Police for weeks had neither a suspect nor a motive in the beating death of a popular television anchorwoman. A suspect is now in custody, but many questions remain unanswered.

AP - Asian and European stocks rose Thursday after Wall Street posted another gain and China slashed interest rates by the most in a decade to boost economic growth. Indian markets were closed after deadly attacks in the country's financial capital.

Reuters - Global stocks rose to their highest level in nearly two weeks on Thursday with European equities buoyed by sharp gains in Asia and the United States, dampening demand for safer assets such as government debt.

Reuters - China warned on Thursday its economic downturn was deepening with the spread of the global financial crisis, raising the specter of job losses and social unrest in the world's most populous nation.

AFP - Indian army commandos were Thursday battling heavily-armed Islamist gunmen who launched coordinated attacks against luxury hotels and other targets in Mumbai, killing at least 100 people.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday the attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 100 people were well planned and probably had 'external linkages.'

LONDON (Reuters) - Global stocks rose to their highest level in nearly two weeks on Thursday with European equities buoyed by sharp gains in Asia and the United States, dampening demand for safer assets such as government debt.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's ruling Shi'ite coalition reached a deal on Thursday with two Sunni Arab factions that were holding up a vote on a pact paving the way for U.S. troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011, a parliamentary official said.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a state of emergency at two Bangkok airports besieged by anti-government protesters, a deputy minister said on Thursday, as rumors of an imminent army coup swirled through the capital.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil fell to around $53 a barrel on Thursday as a holiday weekend in the United States and an upcoming OPEC consultative meeting limited trade.

AP - A trickle of bodies and hostages emerged from a luxury hotel Thursday as Indian commandoes tried to free people trapped by suspected Muslim militants who attacked at least 10 targets in India's financial capital of Mumbai, killing 104 people.

AP - The Iraqi government's Shiite bloc reached an agreement Thursday with a group of mostly Sunni lawmakers who wanted concessions in return for supporting a proposed security pact with the U.S., senior lawmakers said.

AP - A Cabinet minister says Thailand's government will impose a state of emergency around Bangkok's two airports.

AP - Asian and European stocks were higher Thursday after U.S. shares rose for the fourth day running ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Indian markets were closed after deadly attacks in the country's financial capital.

Reuters - Global stocks rose to their highest level in nearly two weeks on Thursday with European equities buoyed by sharp gains in Asia and the United States, dampening demand for safer assets such as government debt.

Reuters - Iraq's ruling Shi'ite coalition reached a deal on Thursday with two Sunni Arab factions that were holding up a vote on a pact paving the way for U.S. troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011, a parliamentary official said.

AFP - Iraq's parliament was expected on Thursday to vote to approve a wide-ranging military agreement with a timetable for the withdrawal of all US troops by 2011, lawmakers said.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Elite Indian commandos fought room-to-room battles with Islamist militants inside two luxury hotels to save scores of people trapped or taken hostage, as the country's prime minister blamed neighboring countries.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament approved a landmark security pact with the United States Thursday that paves the way for U.S. forces to withdraw by the end of 2011.

LUCERNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - UBS said on Thursday it has discovered a few cases of tax fraud as part of a U.S. inquiry into whether it helped wealthy Americans dodge taxes through accounts in Switzerland.

KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed four people near the U.S. embassy in Kabul Thursday, underscoring Afghanistan's deteriorating security, but a U.N. Security Council delegation said the situation was not out of control.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil fell to around $53 a barrel on Thursday as a holiday weekend in the United States and an upcoming OPEC consultative meeting limited trade.

AP - Black-clad Indian commandos moved painstakingly, room-by-room, through two massive five star luxury hotels Thursday in a bid to free dozens of people trapped by suspected Muslim militants who attacked at least 10 targets in India's financial capital of Mumbai, killing 104 people.

AP - Iraq's parliament approved Thursday a security pact with the United States that lets American troops stay in the country for three more years.

AP - Thailand's prime minister has declared a state of emergency at the country's two biggest airports to allow police to clear them of protesters.

AP - The terror attacks that rocked India's financial capital may depress stocks, dampen tourism and slow new investment, but are unlikely to inflict long-term damage on the nation's economy, analysts and business people said Thursday.

AP - The Tennessee Titans blew the symmetry of an 11-0, 0-11 matchup with the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. The once-beaten Titans, though, will get a chance to show coast-to-coast viewers they're still a dominant team against the winless Lions.

Reuters - Elite Indian commandos fought room-to-room battles with Islamist militants inside two luxury hotels to save scores of people trapped or taken hostage, as the country's prime minister blamed neighboring countries.

Reuters - Iraq's parliament approved a landmark security pact with the United States Thursday that paves the way for U.S. forces to withdraw by the end of 2011.

Reuters - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared on Thursday a state of emergency at two Bangkok airports besieged by anti-government protesters, as rumors of a coup swirled round the capital.

Reuters - UBS said on Thursday it has discovered a few cases of tax fraud as part of a U.S. inquiry into whether it helped wealthy Americans dodge taxes through accounts in Switzerland.

Reuters - A suicide bomber killed four people near the U.S. embassy in Kabul Thursday, underscoring Afghanistan's deteriorating security, but a U.N. Security Council delegation said the situation was not out of control.

AFP - Iraq's parliament on Thursday approved a landmark military pact that will see all US troops withdraw by the end of 2011, eight years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and plunged the country into chaos.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a state of emergency on Thursday at two Bangkok airports besieged by anti-government protesters, as rumors of a coup swirled round the capital.

LONDON/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China warned on Thursday its economic downturn could threaten stability and pressure grew on the European Central Bank to make a big cut in interest rates to help contain the global financial crisis.

AP - Black-clad Indian commandoes raided two luxury hotels to try to free hostages Thursday, and explosions and gunshots shook India's financial capital a day after attacks by suspected Muslim militants killed at least 119 people.

AP - The 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade wound its way through Manhattan streets under sunny skies on Thursday, as thousands of marchers carried giant balloons past throngs of holiday revelers cheering them along the route.

AP - The terror attacks that rocked India's financial capital may depress stocks, dampen tourism and slow new investment, but are unlikely to inflict long-term damage on the nation's economy, analysts and business people said Thursday.

AP - From one Bond to another: job well done. Roger Moore told reporters Thursday that Daniel Craig was 'marvelous' as James Bond because he brought a fresh dimension to the character.

AP - A federal judge says a Detroit city employee can proceed with a civil suit claiming she couldn't work because of a co-worker's strong perfume.

Reuters - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a state of emergency on Thursday at two Bangkok airports besieged by anti-government protesters, as rumors of a coup swirled round the capital.

Reuters - China warned on Thursday its economic downturn could threaten stability and pressure grew on the European Central Bank to make a big cut in interest rates to help contain the global financial crisis.

Reuters - Oil fell to around $53 a barrel on Thursday as a holiday weekend in the United States and an upcoming OPEC consultative meeting limited trade.

AFP - Militants who staged multiple attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai, killing at least 125 people and injuring hundreds more, came from Pakistan, a senior military official said on Thursday.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian commandos fought room to room battles to save people trapped inside two luxury hotels after coordinated attacks by gunmen across Mumbai that the prime minister blamed on a militant group outside the country.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Protesters laying siege to Bangkok's two airports braced for a battle with security forces on Friday after Thailand's prime minister declared a state of emergency to end a blockade threatening to cripple the economy.

AP - A state official says the siege has ended Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel and the last three gunmen there have been killed.

AP - The 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade wound its way through Manhattan streets under sunny skies on Thursday, as thousands of marchers carried giant balloons past throngs of holiday revelers cheering them along the route.

AP - An Airbus A320 passenger plane crashed off the coast of southern France during a training flight Thursday, killing at least one of seven people on board, French authorities said.

AP - Jason Hanson kicked a 53-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans and tied Morten Anderson's NFL record for the most kicks from 50-plus yards.

Reuters - Indian commandos fought room to room battles to save people trapped inside two luxury hotels after coordinated attacks by gunmen across Mumbai that the prime minister blamed on a militant group outside the country.

Reuters - Protesters laying siege to Bangkok's two airports braced for a battle with security forces on Friday after Thailand's prime minister declared a state of emergency to end a blockade threatening to cripple the economy.

AFP - Indian commandos fought to end a multiple hostage crisis Thursday in Mumbai, battling Islamist gunmen holding foreign guests in two luxury hotels after attacks across the city left over 125 dead.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian commandos fought to regain control of India's commercial capital, Mumbai, on Thursday after a highly-coordinated attack by armed militants that the prime minister blamed on a 'terrorist' group outside the country.

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The upper house of the Czech parliament backed a plan on Thursday to build a U.S. missile defense shield base in the central European country, but it faces tough scrutiny in the lower chamber.

AP - Indian commandoes killed the last three gunman at a landmark hotel late Thursday and were sweeping another luxury hotel in search of hostages and trapped people after suspected Muslim militants stormed targets across Mumbai, leaving 119 people dead.

AP - Protesters occupying Bangkok's two airports braced for a raid Thursday night after Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a limited state of emergency authorizing police to take back the terminals.

AP - An Airbus A320 passenger plane owned by Air New Zealand crashed off the coast of southern France during a maintenance flight Thursday, killing at least two of seven people on board, French authorities said.

AP - Edna Parker, who became the world's oldest person more than a year ago, has died at age 115.

AP - The winless Detroit Lions kicked off the NFL's triple-header by fumbling on the second play and giving up three touchdowns in the first quarter to the once-beaten Tennessee Titans, taking another step toward NFL infamy. The Titans lead 44-10 in the fourth quarter.

Reuters - Indian commandos fought to regain control of India's commercial capital, Mumbai, on Thursday after a highly-coordinated attack by armed militants that the prime minister blamed on a 'terrorist' group outside the country.

Reuters - The upper house of the Czech parliament backed a plan on Thursday to build a U.S. missile defense shield base in the central European country, but it faces tough scrutiny in the lower chamber.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian commandos fought to regain control of Mumbai on Friday, more than 24 hours after heavily armed militants killed at least 119 people and wounded more than 300 others in coordinated attacks in the commercial capital.

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Reuters) - At a canteen inside a U.S. Army Forward Operating Base, hundreds of soldiers stand patiently in line for a traditional Thanksgiving meal to be eaten at tables decorated with paper turkeys.

LONDON (Reuters) - China warned on Thursday that its economic downturn could threaten stability as pressure grew on the European Central Bank to make a big cut in interest rates to help contain the global financial crisis.

AP - Indian commandoes fought Thursday to wrest control of two luxury hotels and a Jewish center from suspected Muslim militants, a day after a chain of attacks across Mumbai left at least 119 people dead and the city shellshocked.

AP - Some of the kids crawling onto Santa Joe's lap this year have more than stuffed animals and video games on their most-wanted lists. Several times already this season, Joe Jackson has been asked to get Daddy a job or Mommy money to buy the house back.

AP - An SUV plunged off an overpass in northern Colorado and hit a concrete embankment in a fiery crash early Thursday morning, killing all seven people inside it, including two young children, authorities said.

AP - A driver in Mexico got himself into a sticky situation when he pulled over to help a woman whose pickup appeared to be broken down by the highway.

AP - Chris Johnson was untouched on a short run to the outside and a long gain up the middle.

Reuters - At a canteen inside a U.S. Army Forward Operating Base, hundreds of soldiers stand patiently in line for a traditional Thanksgiving meal to be eaten at tables decorated with paper turkeys.

Reuters - China warned on Thursday that its economic downturn could threaten stability as pressure grew on the European Central Bank to make a big cut in interest rates to help contain the global financial crisis.

AFP - Indian commandos battled into the early hours of Friday to end a multiple hostage crisis in Mumbai after suspected Pakistan-based Islamic militants killed 125 people across the city.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Early bird shoppers filed into U.S. stores on Thanksgiving day on Thursday, drawn by bargains from retailers who hope to salvage what could be a disastrous holiday sales season.

AP - The line for a Thanksgiving meal was long when the Chicago Christian Industrial League shelter opened Thursday morning, and volunteers served more than 200 people in the first 40 minutes — record demand for the shelter.

AP - Protesters occupying Bangkok's two airports braced for a raid Thursday night after Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a limited state of emergency authorizing police to take back the terminals.

AP - The off-color jokes flew around the room. As the anecdotes got bawdier, the laughter intensified. Some recited from memory, others read from notebooks they brought along.

AP - A man who hit Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas in the face with a pie during an Independence Day parade in Montpelier will spend five days on a work crew for the stunt.

Reuters - Early bird shoppers filed into U.S. stores on Thanksgiving day on Thursday, drawn by bargains from retailers who hope to salvage what could be a disastrous holiday sales season.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian commandos were dropped by helicopter onto the roof of a Jewish center in Mumbai, where suspected Islamist militants are holding at least 10 Israelis, live television pictures showed on Friday.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil fell more than $1 a barrel to below $54 on Friday, as OPEC ministers prepared to meet in Cairo on Saturday to discuss falling prices and another potential supply cut amid weakening oil demand.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Iran would welcome talks between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, the country's vice president said in an interview with Japan's Kyodo news agency

AP - Security forces assaulted a Jewish center in Mumbai where Muslim militants were believed holed up with possible hostages Friday, with black-clad commandos dropping from a Indian helicopter as sharpshooters opened fire on the five-story building.

AP - The line for a Thanksgiving meal was long when the Chicago Christian Industrial League shelter opened Thursday morning, and volunteers served more than 200 people in the first 40 minutes — record demand for the shelter.

AP - The attack on India's financial capital bears all the trademarks of al-Qaida — simultaneous assaults meant to kill scores of Westerners in iconic buildings — but clues so far point to homegrown Indian terrorists, global intelligence officials said Thursday.

AP - Thailand's government backed off Friday from its threat to forcibly remove protesters occupying Bangkok's two airports in their campaign to oust the prime minister, saying police would avoid violence and attempt to negotiate.

AP - The full scope of the housing meltdown isn't clear and already there are ominous signs of a new crisis — one that could turn out the lights on malls, hotels and storefronts nationwide.

AP - The Dallas Cowboys are ready for December.

Reuters - Indian commandos were dropped by helicopter onto the roof of a Jewish center in Mumbai, where suspected Islamist militants are holding at least 10 Israelis, live television pictures showed on Friday.

Reuters - Oil fell more than $1 a barrel to below $54 on Friday, as OPEC ministers prepared to meet in Cairo on Saturday to discuss falling prices and another potential supply cut amid weakening oil demand.

Reuters - Iran would welcome talks between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, the country's vice president said in an interview with Japan's Kyodo news agency

AFP - At least 17 commandos on Friday abseiled from a helicopter into the Jewish centre in Mumbai taken by Islamic militants, and explosions were heard, an AFP witness said.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Japan's industrial output and household spending tumbled in October, evoking memories of the decade-long stagnation of the 1990s and highlighting how rapidly the global financial crisis was derailing major economies.

PAJU, South Korea (Reuters) - A cargo train between North and South Korea and tours from the South to the communist state stopped on Friday under a border clampdown called for by Pyongyang in anger at the conservative government in Seoul.

AP - Masked Indian commandos dropped from helicopters Friday onto the roof of a Jewish center in Mumbai where Muslim militants were holed up, possibly with hostages, as sharpshooters kept up a steady stream of fire at the five-story building.

Reuters - Japan's industrial output and household spending tumbled in October, evoking memories of the decade-long stagnation of the 1990s and highlighting how rapidly the global financial crisis was derailing major economies.

Reuters - A cargo train between North and South Korea and tours from the South to the communist state stopped on Friday under a border clampdown called for by Pyongyang in anger at the conservative government in Seoul.

AFP - At least 17 commandos Friday abseiled from a helicopter onto the roof of a Jewish centre in Mumbai taken by Islamic militants and entered the building as gunfire erupted, an AFP witness said.