UNITED STATES

New U.S. claims for jobless benefits dipped last week and consumer spending increased in November for a fifth straight month, reinforcing views of a solid economic growth pace in the fourth quarter.

Growth in the eurozone will be weaker than in the US and the UK in 2011 and the euro will fall further, despite positive near-term forecasts for the region and improving global economic prospects, analysts have said.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices remained-range bound on Thursday ahead of a wave of economic data including key weekly U.S. jobs data from the government.

As the global economy is entering arguably another tumultuous year, spotlight is sharply on the prospects, policies and risks of China's economy, which has all but sailed past Japan's as the world's second largest after the United States.

Consumer spending rose for a fifth straight month in November and incomes rose slightly more than expected, government data showed on Thursday, reinforcing views of a solid economic growth pace in the fourth quarter.

The top after-market NYSE gainers on Wednesday are: IDT Corp, Office Depot, Limited Brands, Synovus Financial, Hudbay Minerals, Navigant Consulting, Kraton Performance Polymers and Tesoro.

The United States on Wednesday dragged China to the World Trade Organization (WTO) alleging that the country was illegally providing subsidies towards manufacture of wind power equipment.

China intends to boost its economic ties with Africa, which is already worth about $100 billion, according to a report by the government.

The US Department of Energy has released a critical materials strategy based on extensive research by the Department during the past year examining the role of earth metals and other materials in the clean energy economy.

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia Motors and German auto mobile giant Volkswagen won more top safety pick awards than any other brands in 2010, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said.

Airgas Inc has rejected yet another takeover offer from rival industrial gas producer Air Products and Chemicals Inc , saying a sweetened $5.9 billion bid is just not enough.

US president Barack Obama welcomed the US Senate's ratification of the new strategic arms reduction treaty between the country and its former cold-war rival Russia. The President maintained that Wednesday's vote proves that Washington is not headed for 'more partisanship and more gridlock'.

Once a Russian spy, later a model posing for an erotic shoot in Agent Provocateur lingerie for Maxim, now in search of promising career in the country's politics -- the flamed-haired beauty, Anna Chapman, has now joined a youth political movement in Russia. The 28-year-old glam-girl is one of 11 alleged Russian secret agents deported by US in July this year.

Stock index futures were little changed in light volume on Thursday ahead of a busy day for economic data as Wall Street approached a fourth straight week of gains.

Oil prices held above $90 a barrel, close to their highest in two years on Thursday, after cold weather boosted demand and U.S. stockpiles shrank.

World stocks hit their highest level since September 2008 on Thursday while oil held near a two-year peak as favorable U.S. data reinforced expectations economic growth will retain momentum into next year.

Oil prices climbed toward a two-year high on Thursday as cold weather in the United States boosted demand, slashed stockpiles and contributed to a stronger-than-expected rise in fuel consumption in 2010.

Asian shares edged higher on Thursday with gains led by resource-linked stocks, and oil traded just below the two-year high it hit yesterday on cautious but growing optimism of the health of the world economy.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat opening on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.04 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.01 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.01 percent at 0917 GMT (4:17 a.m. ET).

Resources-linked stocks rose and oil climbed toward the $91 per dollar mark for the first time in more than two years after latest U.S. data offered yet another sign that the world's biggest economy is on the mend.

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that he will work to change the politics of the immigration debate on children of illegal immigrants in 2011 by engaging Republicans and making his case to the American people to pass the DREAM Act.