CHINA

U.S. puts new duty on Chinese-made tyres - Additional 35 percent for first year - China denounces step as dangerous protectionism - China signals possible complaint to WTO - Dispute could spill over into G20 summit (Adds Chinese minister's comments and press comment in paragraphs 3-5, 9 and 25)

When it comes to water, it is pretty clear to investors that a growing global shortage will bring in new business opportunities.

Improving U.S. consumer sentiment and a big drawdown in wholesale inventories on Friday built on recent evidence that an economic recovery was picking up speed.

The European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday that he was seeking an urgent meeting with the Iranian chief nuclear negotiator after consulting six major powers over proposals submitted by Iran.

German carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) is bolstering its presence in Asia after approving 4 billion euros ($5.84 billion) in new investments for China and mounting another effort to build cars in Malaysia.

Chinese machinery maker Tengzhong's bid to acquire the Hummer brand from General Motors Co should be viewed as a trade in technology and not an overseas investment, a top Chinese planning official said on Thursday.

BMW (BMWG.DE), the world's largest premium car maker, said on Friday its August car sales in mainland China surged 63.2 percent from a year earlier.

Carmakers, stung by recession and unsure of their future as government support wanes, will put on a brave face at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, promoting the green technologies they hope will be their salvation.

The state parent of Brilliance China Automotive (1114.HK) is near a deal to make special purpose vehicles in China with Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE) and Toyota Motor (7203.T), a company source said on Friday.

China Internet search giant Baidu Inc is likely to maintain its search lead over rival Google in China in the near term, given the firm's aggressive expansion plans, a top Baidu executive said.

Two studies published on Thursday confirmed that a single dose of swine flu vaccine can protect people from the new pandemic H1N1 virus -- welcome news to global health officials who had worried that people might need two doses.

China's Alibaba Group said on Friday it will launch an international business-to-business (B2B) platform in the United States by the end of the year, as the company seeks to globalize its brand.

Improving U.S. consumer sentiment and a big drawdown in wholesale inventories on Friday built on recent evidence that an economic recovery was picking up speed.

Chinese parents wept at a memorial for babies poisoned by tainted milk powder, demanding support for sons and daughters still sick a year after the scandal broke and more research into long-term problems.

Mysterious needle attacks have spread to new cities in China's restive far-western region of Xinjiang, the China Daily said on Friday, although once again the assaults appear to be a mix of real and imagined.

U.S. stocks struggled for traction on Friday after five days of gains, even as positive economic data and a rosier outlook from FedEx supported hopes for economic recovery.

U.S. stocks were little changed on Friday as positive data and a rosier outlook from FedEx supported hopes for economic recovery, but Wall Street struggled for traction after five days of gains.

China will have to retool its engines of economic growth to help the world avoid increasingly dangerous levels of greenhouse gas emissions in coming decades, a leading expert on the economic impact of climate change said.

Wall Street was set for a modestly higher open on Friday as investors were optimistic about economic recovery prospects and FedEx said its first-quarter earnings would exceed expectations.

Wall Street was poised for a flat to higher open on Friday as positive remarks from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner supported optimism for a recovery, but stocks could stall after five days of gains.

It makes sense for China to diversify its huge stockpile of foreign exchange reserves, the U.S. Treasury's economic and financial emissary to China said on Friday.