JAPAN

Crude oil is predominantly priced and traded in U.S. dollars, although Iran has already accepted payments in some other currencies.

Automakers will report nearly 1.09 million new cars in February on Thursday, according to two industry forecasts, continuing the ongoing revival of the industry as sales jumped nearly 6 percent from February 2011 and an eye-popping 20 percent from January. That would equal a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) above 14 million units -- the highest level since early 2008.

A year ago, when the powerful 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck the coast of Japan, thousands of families were affected and many lost their close ones.

Who is Katherine Jenkins?

Researchers at IBM (NYSE: IBM), the No. 2 computer services company, have passed “thresholds” since Jan. 2 whose promise could yield quantum computers “within our lifetime,” IBM’s Manager of Physics of information said.

Far too many people are giving Danica Patrick a free pass because of her good looks.

Internet giant Yahoo could throw a wrench into Facebook’s planned $5 billion IPO by demanding that the social-networking company enter into patent licensing agreements.

President Barack Obama, following through on a promise to beef up enforcement of trade agreements, on Tuesday will sign an executive order creating a new government team to make sure China and others play by the rules, the White House said.

Retail sales in Japan rose above forecasts indicating a recovery in consumer spending which could help the country to attain economic growth this quarter.

Japan's Nikkei average retreated from a seven-month high Tuesday as traders took profits ahead of a key selling level, while the chip sector suffered losses after Elpida Memory Inc said it will seek bankruptcy protection.

Seventy-five years ago, Mopar began as a name for an antifreeze product. That antifreeze brand has grown into the global automobile parts and service arm of Chrysler Group LLC, and its latest announcement further expands its global footprint.

A Japanese company unveiled plans on Wednesday to build a space elevator it hopes to complete by 2050.

Elpida Memory filed on Monday for bankruptcy protection, the largest ever by a Japanese manufacturer.

Japan's Olympus Corp proposed a new board of directors on Monday in an effort to recover from a $1.7 billion accounting fraud, but the line-up could face a hostile reception from foreign investors when it goes to a shareholder vote.

Shares of Micron Technology, the only U.S. maker of PC memory chips, soared 9 percent after the collapse of its Japanese rival, Elpida.

Leading economies told Europe it must put up extra money to fight its debt crisis if it wants more help from the rest of the world, piling pressure on Germany to drop its opposition to a bigger European bailout fund.

Gold prices fell 1 percent on Monday, in line with the euro, stocks and other commodities, as worries over the euro zone debt crisis and the impact of high crude oil prices on the fledgling economic recovery fuelled risk aversion.

Japan's Elpida Memory Inc said it filed for protection from creditors on Monday with 448 billion yen ($5.55 billion) in debt, the biggest bankruptcy filing by a Japanese manufacturer.

The 2011 Tohoku earthquake that struck the coast of Japan, which triggered a tsunami and caused a widespread death and destruction, is regarded as one of the most powerful earthquakes in the history of the world.

Japan's Olympus Corp unveiled a proposed new board of directors on Monday in an effort to recover from a $1.7 billion accounting fraud, but the line-up could face a hostile reception from foreign investors when it goes to a shareholder vote.

The euro gained broadly Monday as signs of fresh steps from the Group of 20 major economies to contain the euro zone debt crisis boosted sentiment, but higher oil prices hurt Asian stocks.