CHINA

Three global record companies have launched legal proceedings against China's top Internet search engine Baidu.com Inc, accusing it of violating copyright by giving access to music files, an international music trade body said.

Natural gas posted gains on Monday after the prices of alternative forms of energy increased.

Record gold prices have scared buyers in many parts of the world and left them to watch helplessly the blistering rally that shows no signs of abating.

Copper gained on Thursday as markets recovered and winter storms in China disturbed production.

Asian markets were mixed during a volatile session Thursday, with indexes in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sydney wavering between gains and losses as investors assessed the Federal Reserve's half-point reduction in a key interest rate overnight and the health of the U.S. economy.

The United States, Sweden and Japan topped a new ranking that measures how well countries use telecommunications technologies - networks, cell phones and computers - to boost their social and economic prosperity.

Crude oil prices declined today on falling stock markets in Europe and Asia, and a report about new home sales in the U.S.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday as traders predict the Federal Reserve will further cut its benchmark lending rate by 0.5 percent later this week, which is set to boost the economy. Stocks fell across Europe and Asia, led by a 7.2 percent drop in China's benchmark index and leading US stocks to open in the red. The Standard & Poor's 500 index recovered from earlier losses which were caused by slower sales growth at McDonald's Corp. and a dip in new homes sales.

European and Asian stock markets fell on Monday as worries continue about a possible U.S. recession that could affect other leading markets. Asia's losses were led by China's Shanghai composite Index which plummeted to close down more than 7 percent, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was off 2 percent in early afternoon trading. U.S. stocks were set to open lower.

Gold and platinum prices surged to new records on Friday on deteriorating electricity shortages in South Africa, a top producer of the precious metals, increased the supply demand.

Baidu.com Inc led China's search engine market in last year's fourth quarter with a 60.1 percent share, research firm Analysys International said on Friday.

Higher interest rates, a rising yuan and stock market volatility pose stiff challenges for Chinese insurance companies, the industry regulator said on Friday.

U.S. Copper futures rose on Thursday along with other metals, oil and equity markets, on the 0.75 percent cut in interest rates this week

China on Tuesday started a public hearing to discuss lowering domestic mobile roaming charges, state media said, to address complaints from users.

Crude Oil dropped on Monday below $89 a barrel as stock markets in Asia and Europe fell on concerns over a global economy slowdown.

Chinese information technology company Zhongyi Electronic Ltd. said on Friday it is suing software giant Microsoft, claiming it stole its Chinese character technology, a charge Microsoft disputes.

China now has 210 million Internet users, up 53 percent from the period a year ago and is likely to surpass the U.S this year, according to a Chinese survey.

Cotton futures on Friday declined after China cut imports as U.S. shares and agricultural products dropped.

Some U.S. meat and dairy producers are finding new reasons to be nervous

Asia's private equity industry largely shrugged off last year's global credit crunch, with assets under management, fundraising and investment rising at double-digit levels, an industry publication said on Friday.

China's banking regulator on Friday laid out its priorities for 2008, saying that it would focus on helping commercial banks sharpen their operations by improving their strategic planning, innovation and services.