CHINA

Stocks extended losses on Monday as data showing a decline in European private sector activity last month and a reduced target for China growth renewed concerns about the global economy, while a drop in Apple shares hit the Nasdaq.

The stunning development was met with cautious optimism by the U.S., South Korea and China,

India announced on Monday an immediate ban on all cotton exports until further notice, cutting off the world's second-largest exporter of cotton, in an unexplained move that could limit global supplies and drive up prices.

Bridges, best known for his impression of President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, was found dead Saturday in his Los Angeles home at age 48. Watch his most masterful performances here, including when he and President Bush spoke side-by-side at the White House Correspondent's Association dinner in 2006.

The euro zone is out of the emergency ward, but it may face a chronic debilitating illness rather than a rapid convalescence.

China lowered its economic growth target to an eight-year-low of 7.5 percent from an 8 percent goal in place since 2005, a signal that the country's leaders are determined to scale back the reliance on external demand and foreign capital, in favor of domestic consumption.

Wall Street stocks eased on Monday after data showing a decline in European private sector activity last month and a reduced target for China growth gave investors reason to pause.

Apple announced on Monday that its iOS App Store, which is available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, has sold more than 25 billion apps, and the winner of the App Store Countdown to 25 Billion Apps is Chunli Fu of Qingdao, China.

Pork donuts may not be palatable to Americans or Europeans, but the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chains is catering to local tastes in China, where it aims to open another 100 stores in the next two to three years.

Lead emission from factories and the natural environment in China's manufacturing heart of Guangdong has poisoned 160 children, Xinhua said on Sunday in the country's latest case of unfettered industrial toxins.

Wednesday is drawing near. It is the day Apple is expected to officially announce the iPad 3, the one tablet to rule them all. While we await the big announcement, M.I.C. Gadget, a Chinese blog got their hands on what is supposed to be iPad 3 parts. If it is the real deal, the iPad 3 could be a huge upgrade over the iPad 2.

Stock index futures eased on Monday after data showing a decline in European private sector activity last month and a lower target for China growth gave investors reason to pause.

Gold prices slid below $1,700 an ounce in Europe on Monday as weaker-than-expected euro zone economic data lifted the dollar versus the euro, and as appetite for assets seen as higher risk, like stocks and commodities, suffered after China set its lowest annual growth target in eight years.

Jaguar Land Rover and Chery Automobile Co are seeking regulatory approval for a 17.5 billion yuan ($2.78 billion) car venture in eastern China, two people with direct knowledge of the deal told Reuters on Monday.

Stock index futures fell on Monday after data showed Europe's private sector activity declined last month and China cut its growth target, reigniting concerns about the strength of the global economy.

A whopping 2,895 Buddha statues and fragments have been excavated recently in northern China’s Hebei province.

Few close observers of the Syrian conflict believe the uprising that began nearly a year ago is anything like over, and nor do they believe that President Bashar al-Assad can use the siege of Homs as a springboard to regain full control of the country. Yet some experts believe the authorities' brutality will lead to a drawn-out Bosnia-style war.

Iran's biggest Indian oil client, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd , plans to cut its annual import deal with Tehran by as much as 44 percent to 80,000 barrels per day in 2012/13, two sources said, as western sanctions make trade more difficult.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao cut his nation's 2012 growth target to an eight-year low of 7.5 percent and made boosting consumer demand the year's first priority as Beijing looks to wean the economy off its reliance on external demand and foreign capital.

Asian stock markets declined Monday as concerns over the impact of a slowing Chinese economy and tough speech by U.S. President Barack Obama over Iran nuclear program weighed on the sentiment.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao cut his nation's 2012 growth target to an eight-year low of 7.5 percent and made boosting consumer demand the year's first priority as Beijing looks to wean the economy off its reliance on external demand and foreign capital.