CHINA

President Barack Obama revealed that the United States will be sending more troops to the Asia-Pacific, a move that China was quick to criticize on Friday.

Launch of iPhone 4S in China can delay the release of the much-hyped and much-awaited iPad 3, speculate experts. Now delaying the launch of iPad 3 can be another structured rumor or marketing gimmick of Apple as this world renowned electronics company is known for making a series of announcements at random times to fuel up the suspense among the Apple enthusiasts.

The top after-market NASDAQ Stock Market gainers are: ViroPharma, WebMD Health, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Oritani Financial, and Momenta Pharmaceuticals. The top after-market NASDAQ Stock Market losers are: RF Micro Devices, Vical, Integra LifeSciences Holdings, Morgans Hotel Group, and Zoltek Companies.

Some of the planet's top automakers are showcasing their latest concepts and models at the 2012 India Auto Expo in New Delhi, as they seek to boost sales in one of the biggest markets in the world, despite the recent slowdown in turnover.

Barclays Capital released its 2012 price outlook for precious metals Thursday. Despite short-term hurdles, a clouded macro-economic environment against a backdrop of low interest rates and political uncertainties continue to stoke investor appetite for a more diversified and less riskier portfolio.

After more than a month of posturing, Iran said it's ready to restart nuclear talks with the European Union, adding that Turkey would be the best place for a dialog.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. reported sales of 178,131 cars in December, up 0.4 percent from 177,488 cars from a year ago. Sales beat forecasts by analysts polled by Bloomberg, who had predicted an average 1 percent drop in sales.

The United States government said there is no confirmation of these rumors.

China's airline companies are refusing to pay a new European Union carbon tax when traveling to airports on the continent.

President Barack Obama unveiled a defense strategy on Thursday that calls for greater U.S. military presence in Asia and envisions cutting troops in Europe as the Pentagon seeks to reduce spending by nearly half a trillion dollars after a decade of war.

Gold was on course for a fifth straight session of gains on Thursday as growing anxiety on Iran boosted its safe-haven appeal and rising seasonal demand in China buoyed sentiment.

As India gold prices dipped backed by a strengthening rupee, jewellers restocked for the upcoming wedding season in the world's biggest consumer of the precious metal, dealers said.

The worst, most vulgar aspects of American pop culture are spilling across the globe – even in distant, alien lands like China and India.

Tourism in North Korea is restricted and controlled by the government. Tourists often visit the country in guided tours with strict supervision from Korean authorities.

The price of oil has been rising due to mounting tensions between Iran and the United States and other western countries. On Wednesday the pressure on Iran continued to ratchet up, as European Union governments agreed on to ban imports of Iranian oil.

Gold prices rose Thursday as Chinese purchases of physical gold and concerns Iran might spark a regional conflict by attempting to block the Strait of Hormuz offset concerns over a Eurozone recession.

South Korea is well known to have a nearly completely plugged-in society, but are they the most connected country in the world? As a percentage of the population, they are actually 15th. Every year, a Web site called Internet World Stats compiles the numbers of users across the globe and breaks them out into region, country and other demographics.

Byron Wien, vice chairman at Blackstone Advisory Partners issued his list of surprises for 2012 on Wednesday. The tradition of giving his views on a series of economic, financial market and political surprises for the coming year started in 1986.

Mainland China and 21 other countries will finally launch sales for Apple's most advanced smartphone, the iPhone 4S, on Friday, Jan. 13. The phone will be available in black and white and will sell at the same prices as in the U.S.

The former Utah governor Jon Huntsman has put all of his campaign eggs in New Hampshire, hoping for a positive outcome in the state's primary next Tuesday. Despite languishing in the polls, Huntsman has made over 150 appearances in the Granite State, which he hopes will pay off and catapult him into the new Republican of Choice -- with Rick Santorum's success serving as the model.

The EU governments in the 27-nation bloc agreed on the Iranian oil embargo, but now need to plan a timetable for implementing the move. France has suggested a date for beginning the embargo is set at a scheduled Jan. 30 meeting of the EU foreign ministers.