CHINA

Economic freedoms were sharply reduced last year on massive spending and bailouts during the financial crisis, a trend that could imperil future economic prospects, the U.S.-based Heritage Foundation said on Wednesday.

World stocks slipped on Wednesday after reports of bank lending restrictions in China, while the euro hit a five-month low against a broadly stronger dollar with concerns about Greece's fiscal problems nagging investors.

The United States has had multiple meetings with Chinese authorities over Internet freedom and will have more in the coming days, a top State Department official said on Tuesday amid continuing tensions between Google and Beijing.

The euro fell to a five-month low against the dollar on Wednesday as investors seized on Greece's fiscal woes to drive the currency below key support, while shares in China were hit by reports of bank lending restrictions.

Oil extended losses toward $78 a barrel on Wednesday on tighter credit policy in China, a stronger dollar and expectations that U.S. refiners processed less crude.

Oil slid to below $79 a barrel on Wednesday on a stronger dollar, tighter Chinese credit policy and expectations that refiners at top consumer the United States processed less crude.

The euro slumped to four-month lows on Wednesday as the loss of a crucial support level triggered a wave of selling from investors afraid the single currency was embarking on a sustained slump.

Microsoft announced that it will issue a n emergency path for its Internet Explorer browser that will close up a security hole hackers used to exploit a number of US technology companies.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband denied any split with China over Iran on Tuesday and gave a strong hint that Britain backed more financial sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear programme.

China is paying citizens to report online porn to authorities, with nearly 200 people already compensating as the government cracks down on what it considers undesirable content.

Oil fell below $78 a barrel on Tuesday, extending its recent losing streak, as producer group OPEC said supply was ample to meet winter demand and trimmed estimated demand for its oil.

The central banks of China and Taiwan tightened policy on Tuesday to drain money from the banking system, marking intensified efforts in the region to head off inflation and cool asset bubbles.

Japan and the United States reaffirmed their five-decade security alliance on Tuesday, vowing to expand ties into new areas even as they squabble over the relocation of a U.S. Marine base.

In the latest sign of growing tensions between Beijing and business partners, Google is postponing the release of two mobile phone models, just days after threatening to pull out its search business.

Oil fell below $78 a barrel on Tuesday, extending its recent losing streak, as producer group OPEC said supply was ample enough to meet winter demand and trimmed estimated demand for its oil.

China urged other powers on Tuesday to show more flexibility in dealing with Iran's disputed nuclear programme, playing down prospects of sanctions after six countries met to discuss the standoff.

Google Inc will not be treated as an exception to China's demand foreign companies obey its laws, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, a week after the world's largest search engine warned it could pull out of China.

Google has postponed the launch of two mobile phones in China which use its Android platform, in the first sign its business in the country is starting to be affected by a dispute over hacking and censorship.

Oil dipped below $78 a barrel on Tuesday, extending a losing streak from last week due to an expected dent in heating demand as northern hemisphere weather turned milder after a prolonged cold spell.

Google has postponed the launch of two mobile phones in China which use its Android platform, in the first sign its business in the country is starting to be affected by a dispute over hacking and censorship.

The central banks of China and Taiwan tightened policy on Tuesday to drain money from the banking system, marking intensified efforts in the region to head off inflation and cool asset bubbles.