London - The London stock market rebounded in early trading Thursday, which saw the Financial Times Share Index rise by 3 per cent while banking shares were up again sharply.

The recovery was led by banks expected to tap the government for new capital pledged in a 50-billion-pound (87-billion-dollar) package Wednesday, and boosted by gains on Far Eastern markets as well as the global interest rate cuts.

Shares in Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) were up nearly 30 per cent Thursday, while Royal Bank of Scotland shares rose by 16 per cent.

Frankfurt - European sto

Seoul - Shares closed slightly higher Thursday on the Seoul stock exchange as central banks around the world, including South Korea's, cut interest rates.

The benchmark Kospi index edged up 8.2 points, or 0.6 per cent, to close at 1,294.89.

Advancing issues outnumbered losers 414 to 406.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market declined 1.63 points to 369.84.

Tokyo - Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gave up early gains Thursday to end at a five-year low as concerns lingered over the global financial crisis.

The key Nikkei index fell 45.83 points, or 0.5 per cent, to close at 9,157.49.

But the broader Topix index of all first-section issues went up 6.1 points, or 0.68 per cent, to 905.11, a day after nine central banks lowered interest rates.

The Bank of Japan injected a record 4 trillion yen (39.8 billion dollars) into the money markets Thursday amid escalating concerns over the financial crisis.

Tokyo - The Bank of Japan injected a record 4 trillion yen (39.8 billion dollars) into the money markets Thursday amid escalating concerns over the global financial crisis.

The nation's central bank carried out the emergency measure for the 17th consecutive business day to free up credit and stabilize the markets.

Prime Minister Taro Aso called for new measures to be implemented and said he instructed the ruling coalition of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito party to draw up additional pump-priming measures.

Taipei - Taiwan's centr