CHINA

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV , the world's biggest brewer, and two Chinese brewers are on the shortlist to buy most of the operations being sold by China's Kingway Brewery Holdings Ltd <0124.HK>, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Defeated Syrian rebels abandoned their shattered stronghold in Homs, giving way to a 26-day army assault on a city that had become a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Defeated Syrian rebels abandoned their shattered stronghold in Homs Thursday, giving way to a 26-day army assault on a city that had become a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Defeated Syrian rebels left their shattered stronghold in the city of Homs Thursday after a bloody 26-day army siege aimed at crushing a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Giant fleas feasted on dinosaur blood in the Jurassic era, according to a new study

Brent crude rose above $124 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate rose as much as $1.11 to $110.55 per barrel on Thursday as upbeat economic data from China and the United States brightened oil demand prospects.

Thursday's statement marks the first by the Security Council relating to Syria in seven months, after previous efforts were blocked by Russia and China.

Defeated Syrian rebels left their shattered stronghold in Homs on Thursday after a bloody 26-day army siege aimed at crushing a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

North Korea has agreed with the United States to suspend major elements of its atomic weapons programme in a surprise breakthrough that could pave the way for the resumption of long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks with the secretive state.

French jeweler Cartier launched its first film on Thursday to set itself apart in an increasingly crowded luxury market by highlighting its 165-year heritage.

Russia, along with China, has stymied efforts by the West and the United Nations to condemn violence perpetrated by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, a longtime Moscow ally.

Imagine living with a thermometer stuck inside your lungs. That is exactly what a woman in China has been doing for the past 44 years. Doctors feel that if the 2-inch-long tool breaks it could cause serious damage to Liu's body due to the mercury.

China and Russia, who have presented themselves as stubborn holdouts against the United States and the rest of the world on international diplomatic issues (most recently sanctions against the murderous Syrian government), have reportedly welcomed the news that North Korea will be halting its nuclear weapons testing and development programs.

India's exporters have begun receiving the first rupee payments from Iran, Indian government and trade sources said on Thursday, kicking off a mechanism to skirt Western sanctions which have made doing business with Tehran tougher.

The development comes one day after North Korea agreed to suspend its nuclear program in exchange for massive food aid.

Business at U.S. manufacturers expanded at a slower-than-expected pace in February, according to a closely watched survey of the sector released Thursday.

China is cutting the share of its reserves denominated in U.S. dollars and may be buying far more European government debt than in the past, according to data compiled by Dow Jones Newswires.

Almost all the fighters battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew from their stronghold in the Baba Amro district of the city, leaving behind comrades to cover their retreat.

Copper miner Kazakhmys posted a flat core profit for 2011 as stronger metal prices were offset by an 18 percent rise in production costs, including soaring wages for skilled workers in Kazakhstan, home to its core operations.

China welcomed the pact, but remained somewhat cautious about hopes for a nuclear-free future on the Korean peninsula.

Prospects for a strong recovery in the global economy darkened on Thursday as sputtering factory activity in Europe overshadowed more upbeat data from Asia, at a time when central banks are running out of policy options and reluctant to do more.