CHINA

Tobacco-related deaths have nearly tripled in the past decade and big tobacco firms are undermining public efforts that could save millions, a report led by the health campaign group the World Lung Foundation (WLF) said on Wednesday.

U.S. stocks were poised for a slightly higher open on Wednesday ahead of data on the housing market a day after the S&P 500 snapped a three-day winning streak.

Mobile phone users in China have got in their basket of offerings two much-awaited smartphones. Japanese phone manufacturer Sony has just announced the upcoming availability of its first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone, Sony Xperia neo L MT25i. And Taiwanese mobile phone maker HTC Corporation has made available its HTC Eternity from today, the first Windows Phone device to officially reach the country.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc (NYSE:RDS) signed Wednesday the first-ever production sharing contract with China's state-owned China National Petroleum Corp., or CNPC, as the world's second largest economy seeks to develop its untapped reserves, similar to those that gave rise to the U.S. natural gas boom, with the help of foreign technology.

Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo are set to be nominated to lead the World Bank, sources with knowledge of emerging market efforts to find candidates said on Tuesday.

The world's largest television and online retailer QVC Inc. is starting a joint venture with China's national radio broadcaster to enter the world's most populous growing consumer and media market.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Wednesday ahead of data on the housing market a day after the S&P 500 snapped a three-day winning streak.

Asia shares continued to fall amid lingering worries about China growth. In Japan, shares declined for the first time in six sessions.

Beginning in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year (July), Apple will pay a $2.65 per share dividend.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.4 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures also up 0.2 percent at 5 a.m. E.D.T. (0900 GMT)

Gold is expected to reach a new record high of $2,200 per ounce as fears of Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union break-up surge again and with U.S. monetary policy anticipated to remain supportive, according to Capital Economics.

Angry Birds maker Rovio is teaming up with a major U.S. retail chain to sell its merchandise, and plans to open themed activity parks in Britain, as it continues to expand beyond mobile games to establish a Disney-style brand, it said on Tuesday.

Business confidence in China has climbed up this quarter, although demand has continued to slow according to Capital Economics.

U.S. bank JPMorgan has agreed to buy a 19.9 percent stake in Chinese trust company Bridge Trust Co, according to media reports.

The Hunger Games is set to open in theaters nationwide on Friday, March 23. The stars of the film -- including Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Elizabeth Banks -- have been promoting the premiere of the film around the world. Here are some of the best fashions from the stars of The Hunger Games and their fans.

Angry Birds maker Rovio is teaming up with a major U.S. retail chain to sell its merchandise, and plans to open themed activity parks in Britain, as it continues to expand beyond mobile games to establish a Disney-style brand, it said on Tuesday.

The United States on Tuesday dealt a blow to U.S. manufacturers of solar panels and boosted shares in their Chinese rivals when it imposed preliminary punitive duties of less than 5 percent on imports from China.

A warning about China's growth sparked selling in energy and industrial shares on Tuesday, but the broad market's losses were contained, a sign of resilience for U.S. stocks.

U.S. asset markets sold off Tuesday as investors interpreted new data from China to mean that country's economy might be slowing down faster than previously thought. Of paramount concern was a government report showing new home prices had recently declined in 45 of 70 major cities, with prices static in 21 other metropolitan areas.

The United States on Tuesday dealt a blow to U.S. manufacturers of solar panels and boosted shares in their Chinese rivals when it imposed preliminary punitive duties of less than 5 percent on imports from China.

Stocks retreated from a near 4-year high on Tuesday on signs that indicated China's economy may be slowing.