CHINA

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday as new signs of growth in China and Australia eased concerns about the global economy and investors awaited data on the labor market and housing.

Nearly 100 million children in China will be vaccinated against measles this month to help eliminate the disease, a leading cause of avoidable death and disability in developing countries, the WHO said on Wednesday.

Oil rose to $72 per barrel on Wednesday after news Chinese manufacturing growth accelerated last month, easing concerns over the pace of economic recovery.

Asian stocks rose on Wednesday as investors cheered a manufacturing rebound in China and rosier-than-expected Australian growth, which halted the yen's advance towards a 15-year peak against the dollar.

Over-ambitious TV sales targets have left manufacturers with a glut of panels that is driving down prices as makers offload their excess output, Panasonic Corp's <6752.T> television unit head said on Tuesday.

Retailers from Europe and Southeast Asia are expected to submit bids for Carrefour SA's roughly $1 billion (650 million pounds)-worth of Asian assets, with first-round offers due on Wednesday, sources said, in what is turning out to be a robust auction.

Software giant Microsoft Corp is looking for a partner in China to help the company play a major role in China's internet search market, Wall Street Journal said.

China's manufacturing economy staged a moderate rebound in August after slowing for several months under the onslaught of government measures to rein in credit and deter property speculation.

Asian stocks rose on Wednesday as investors cheered a manufacturing rebound in China and rosier-than-expected Australian growth, which halted the yen's advance toward a 15-year peak against the dollar.

Asian stocks rose on Wednesday as investors cheered a manufacturing rebound in China and stronger-than-expected growth in Australia, while the yen inched up towards a 15-year peak against the dollar.

Citigroup Inc plans to almost triple its workforce in China by hiring up to 7,500 people in the next three years, an executive told Bloomberg in an interview published on Tuesday.

China's manufacturing sector regained some momentum in August while India and Russia continued to power ahead, cheering investors in the face of signs that sputtering U.S. recovery was cooling global demand.

Corrects spelling of last name to Bird throughout, not Baird.

The Canadian province of Saskatchewan, home of takeover target Potash Corp , would have lots of concerns about a Chinese sovereign fund or state-owned company buying part or all of the company, Energy Minister Bill Boyd said on Tuesday.

With Magna International's $1 billion buyout of founder Frank Stronach now a done deal, the auto parts maker will now shift its focus to a more aggressive expansion in emerging markets.

The U.S. Commerce Department decided on Tuesday not to investigate whether China subsidizes exports to the United States by undervaluing its currency, prompting renewed calls for Congress to act on the issue.

China pressed regional powers on Tuesday to restart talks on ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions, and Seoul offered aid to its destitute neighbour despite a new round of U.S. sanctions against Pyongyang.

The U.S. Commerce Department said on Tuesday it did not have sufficient legal grounds to investigate if China's currency practices effectively subsidize its exports in separate trade cases brought by U.S. aluminum and paper producers.

Thousands of people are putting their health and life savings at risk to travel to private clinics around the world for unproven and potentially dangerous stem cell treatments, British experts said on Tuesday.

An Iranian newspaper said on Tuesday that Carla Bruni, the wife of France's president, deserved to die after she expressed solidarity with a woman sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery.

General Motors expects competitive pricing for its electric Chevrolet Volt in China as it hopes to gain a foothold in China's fledgling environmentally friendly car industry with the highly anticipated car.