CHINA

The dollar was on the defensive on Thursday, retaining most of the losses sustained the previous day when upbeat data helped lure investors away from safe-haven currencies and assets. Figures released on Wednesday showed the U.S. manufacturing sector grew faster than expected and China's factory output regained momentum in August, while Australia's economy expanded at its fastest pace in three years in the second quarter.

Asian stocks rose to a two-week high, with Japan's Nikkei briefly rising more than 2 percent, as strong U.S. manufacturing data further soothed worries about the global economy.

Heading into the Labor Day holiday weekend, U.S. retail gasoline prices have fallen for three weeks in a row, currently averaging $2.68 per gallon, the lowest level of the 2010 peak summer driving season, and the second lowest price at this point in the past five summers (Figure 1). This year, prices peaked on May 10 at $2.91 per gallon. Compared to price variation experienced over recent summers, gasoline prices have moved in a narrow range during this summer's driving season (Figure 2).

Asian stocks rose to a two-week high, with Japan's Nikkei briefly rising more than 2 percent, as strong U.S. manufacturing data further soothed worries about the global economy.

As a growing oil consumer and importer, China is taking strategic steps to secure its oil imports from the Middle East by strengthening its influence in the South Asia/Indian Ocean region.

M&A talk among the travel, telecoms and mining sectors helped Britain's top shares to their biggest daily gain in almost two months on Wednesday, as strong manufacturing data from the U.S. and China boosted sentiment.

Surging domestic demand helped manufacturing growth in China and Russia pick up speed in August, while U.S. manufacturing grew faster than expected, but data showed the recovery slowing in European factories.

Wall Street rose more than 2 percent on Wednesday and was set to record its best day in eight weeks as U.S. and Asian economic data soothed worries about a global economic slowdown.

Michael Wei and Lucy HornbyChina may launch an antimonopoly probe into BHP Billiton's $39 billion bid for Canada's Potash Corp, the China Business News said on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Media stocks gained more than the market in early trading on Wednesday ahead of details of a new online TV product announcement expected from Apple Inc later in the day.

Wall Street jumped on Wednesday as an increase in U.S. manufacturing activity and new signs of growth in China and Australia boosted investor confidence on the state of the global economy.

Manufacturing in China, India and Russia powered ahead in August while growth slowed in European factories, emphasising a growing divide in the pace of recovery between the rich and emerging worlds.

At least four retailers from Europe and Asia are poised to submit first-round bids for Carrefour SA's roughly $1 billion (650 million pounds)-worth of Southeast Asian assets on Wednesday, sources said, showing robust demand for the retail operations.

North Korea vowed to strengthen military ties with China on Wednesday, days after the North's leader Kim Jong-il finished a visit aimed at bolstering the bond with his isolated country's sole major supporter.

Michael Wei and Lucy Hornby

Wall Street was set for a higher open on Wednesday as new signs of growth in China and Australia eased concerns about the global economy's health and investors shrugged off an unexpected cut in U.S. private sector payrolls.

World stocks kicked off September on a stronger note on Wednesday as data showed a manufacturing rebound in China and stronger-than-expected growth in Australia, while the yen held near recent 15-year peaks against the dollar.

Stock index futures trimmed gains slightly on Wednesday after data showed private employers unexpectedly cut 10,000 jobs in August.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday as new signs of growth in China and Australia eased concerns about the global economy's health and investors awaited data on the labor market and housing.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday as new signs of growth in China and Australia eased concerns about the global economy and investors awaited data on the labor market and housing.

Nearly 100 million children in China will be vaccinated against measles this month to help eliminate the disease, a leading cause of avoidable death and disability in developing countries, the WHO said on Wednesday.