CHINA

Gas prices in the U.S. are increasing. Is it possible we’ll see a $5 gallon anytime soon? Signs point to yes.

Designer Tadashi Shoji talks about his journey making an Oscars dress for Octavia Spencer, who won her first Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for The Help. Spencer dominated the red carpet, evident in photos thanks to her go-to designer.

South Korea embraced the decision and said it hoped it could lead to a broader framework of peace between the two countries.

James Murdoch resigned from his position as executive chairman of News International on Wednesday amid a phone hacking scandal that has sent shockwaves through the media empire of his mogul father, Rupert Murdoch. The question now is: who is next in line to succeed Rupert?

The U.S. economy grew a bit faster than initially thought in the fourth quarter on slightly firmer consumer and business spending, which could help to allay fears of a sharp slowdown in growth in early 2012.

U.S. mining equipment maker Joy Global Inc posted higher first-quarter profit, helped by stronger margins, and raised its 2012 forecast.

China's engagement in resolving the euro zone debt crisis has been a topic of contention. High-profile Chinese leaders, such as Vice Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping, have reassured the European countries that China would invest in alleviating the debt. However, a financial plan has yet to be communicated.

China hopes to cap the number of people living with HIV/AIDS at 1.2 million by 2015, up from around 780,000 at present, partly by promoting increased condom use, the government said in an action plan released on Wednesday.

Lawyers for Apple Inc. argued for its right to use the iPad trademark in China on Wednesday, as a higher court began a crucial hearing that could result in sales of the wildly popular tablet computer being halted throughout the Chinese mainland.

The United States has agreed to send at least 240,000 metric tons of food, with an increased proportion of grain products, to isolated North Korea.

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

China will soon publish precise definitions of what constitutes insider trading that would make it easier to prosecute and punish illegal traders, the New Century magazine reported on its website, citing sources with knowledge of the situation.

Stock index futures edged up on Wednesday after European banks absorbed more than half a trillion euros as part of an effort to stabilize the euro zone's financial system.

Lawyers for Apple Inc. argued for its right to use the iPad trademark in China on Wednesday, as a higher court began a crucial hearing that could result in sales of the wildly popular tablet computer being halted throughout the Chinese mainland.

Some Chinese Internet users have this week been able to access blocked websites such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, relishing the newfound freedom although the reason for the breach in China's Great Firewall of censorship was a mystery.

Some Chinese Internet users have this week been able to access blocked websites such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, relishing the newfound freedom although the reason for the breach in China's Great Firewall of censorship was a mystery.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could be classified as a war criminal, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said as the United Nations announced more than 7,500 civilians had been killed by his forces since the start of the revolt.

India's economic growth slowed to its weakest annual pace in almost three years in the three months to December, as high interest rates and rising input costs constrained investment and manufacturing. GDP rose 6.1 percent in October to December compared with a year earlier, a lower-than-expected increase, figures from the statistics office showed.

A long-running legal fight between Apple Inc and a debt-laden Chinese firm over the iPad trademark moved to a higher court on Wednesday, in a potentially decisive hearing that will set a precedent for the rest of mainland China.

Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital have isolated egg producing stem cells from human ovarian tissues. The new study is seen as a precursor to solving fertility issues in women of reproductive ages. If made viable, the study could benefit young women undergoing cancer therapy and older women who have to resort to egg donors.

Recent oil price increases are not a big threat to emerging Asian economies because of their strong fundamentals, analysts have said.