US stocks opened higher Tuesday, extending Monday’s gains after jumps in European and Asian markets and encouraged by Microsoft’s $8.5 billion deal to buy Skype. At 1400 GMT the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 47.38 points (0.37 per cent) at 12,732.06. The broader S&P 500 index gained 6.10 points (0.45 per cent) at 1,352.39, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 15.41 points... 

Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it is buying Internet phone service company Skype for $8.5 billion dollars cash in the largest acquisition ever by the US computer software giant. “Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said in a statement. “Together we will create the future of real-time communications...