CHINA

Asian Stock markets ended flat Monday as the optimism over Europe's moves to tackle the region's debt crisis faded and lackluster data from China also weighed.

Most European markets rose Monday as investors were encouraged by the hopeful economic indications from Asia and also the measures taken at the EU summit last week.

Crude oil futures declined during Asian trading hours Monday after reporting their biggest one-day price surge in three years in the previous session as a breakthrough in the European Union summit in Brussels boosted sentiment.

Most Asian markets rose Monday amid indications of improving business conditions in Japan and on continued optimism about the measures taken in the EU summit to alleviate the euro zone debt burden.

In an effort to cut gridlock and pollution in Guangzhou, authorities in the capital city of Guangdong province began a one-year trial program on Sunday that will cap the number of new automobiles hitting the streets, according to the state-owned Xinhua news agency.

The Fragrant Harbor was passed from British to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997. Today, it's still torn between its Western-style freedoms and the Beijing model.

China's factory downturn worsened in June as a key activity index hit a seven-month low; the report is expected to raise expectations that the central bank may seek more policy easing.

Chinese President Hu Jintao swore in Hong Kong's new leader on the 15th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule, even as anti-Chinese protestors tried to disrupt Hu's visit.

Asian markets are expected to begin the week on the upswing gains after leaders of the European Union agreed on action to stem the region's debt crisis.

If you call them, they will come. That's what the U.S. government is betting on with its first-ever national tourism campaign from Brand USA.

Watch live coverage of day six's play from Wimbledon, plus a full preview.

Most Asian markets rose this week as investor sentiment turned positive with the announcement of measures at the EU summit in Brussels aimed at alleviating the current debt crisis gripping the euro zone.

China, which according to various estimates produces between 90 to 98 percent of the world's rare earth supplies, warned that a decline in its rare earth resources was accelerating.

The revelations would be particularly embarrassing to a Communist leadership seeking to stamp out government corruption.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) must be asking itself when the European automotive market becomes too toxic as sales in the region slump, the euro zone teeters on the brink of disaster and carmaker predicts European losses of close to $600 million in the second quarter.

The United States gave China and Singapore exemptions from new sanctions targeting Iran's central bank and oil industry, which took effect on Thursday.

More than three decades after the death of Chinese Communist leader Mao Tse-Tung, Maoist rebels remain active in more than one-third of India?s 600 districts, primarily along the eastern parts of the country.

Authorities are refraining from calling it terrorism, but the hijackers -- subdued by passengers -- were aboard a flight in a region of Western China where Muslim Uyghur separatists are active

Three Chinese astronauts, including the first woman, returned to Earth after their manned spaceship successfully docked to another craft in orbit. The Shenzhou 9 space capsule safely parachute landed about 10 a.m. Beijing time Friday in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, following a 13-day mission that marked a major stride in China's ambitious space program.

Ever since the International Olympic Committee awarded London the 2012 Olympic games, many questions have been raised about the games' costs and benefits to the city.

Asian stock markets rallied Friday as sentiment was buoyed after leaders at the European Union summit in Brussels agreed on important plans to tackle the region's debt crisis.