JAPAN

U.S. employment growth ground to a halt in June, with employers hiring the fewest number of workers in nine months, dampening hopes the economy was on the cusp of regaining momentum after stumbling in recent months.

U.S. companies probably stepped up hiring in June as the economy recovers from a stumble in recent months, although job growth is not expected to be strong enough to eat into high unemployment.

Chevrolet's Volt and Nissan's Leaf are going head-to-head in the electric car battle. But there's differences in the Volt and the Leaf, and both companies are eager to tell you about them.

Companies hired four times more workers in June than in May, strengthening views the economy was starting to escape the doldrums of the first half of the year.

It's among the most terrifying and the most breathing natural phenomena.

A survey of four locations in Fukushima city, outside the nuclear evacuation zone, has showed soil radiation above levels that has prompted evacuation of pregnant women and children from the city.

LG Electronics Inc, the world's No.3 handset maker, cut its 2011 smartphone and handset targets on Thursday because its Optimus series has failed to stop the runaway success of Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy S.

Japan's core machinery orders rose in May at the fastest pace in four months in a sign that capital expenditures will stay firm and support the economic recovery as the country rebuilds from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Tokyo, July 7 - Suzuki Motor Corp <7269.T> plans to spend 40 billion yen ($494 million) to relocate several coastal facilities further inland to avoid damage from possible tsunamis, the Nikkei business daily said on Thursday.

Asian shares drifted up toward a one-month high on Thursday as Chinese bank shares bounced higher on hopes of a near-term pause in policy tightening, while the euro steadied before a widely expected rate hike from the European Central Bank later in the day.

The South Korean city of Pyeongchang was selected on Wednesday to be the host site for the 2018 Winter Olympics, beating out both Germany and France.

Pyeongchang, Korea, was announced as the host city for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games today - a crushing victory over rivals Munich of Germany and Annecy of France in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) vote in Durban. After two failed attempts for 2010 and 2014, Pyeongchang will mark the first Winter Games in Asia outside of Japan

Pyeongchang, Korea, was announced as the host city for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games today - a crushing victory over rivals Munich of Germany and Annecy of France in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) vote in Durban. After two failed attempts for 2010 and 2014, Pyeongchang will mark the first Winter Games in Asia outside of Japan

Below are highlights of International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde's first news conference since being tapped to run the IMF.

South Korea’s Pyeongchang was awarded the 2018 Winter Olympics on Wednesday after failing in two previous attempts.

A swarm of jellyfish blocks the water supply which is used as a coolant at the Orot Rabin nuclear power plant in Hadera, Israel.

China raised interest rates for the third time this year in response to rising inflation in the country. That's just one of the problems the world's second-largest economy faces.

Stock index futures fell on Wednesday after Moody's downgrade of Portugal's credit rating to junk and China's interest rate rise triggered unease about global growth prospects.

The Bank of Japan is expected to hold off on easing monetary policy further and revise up its assessment of the economy next week, encouraged by a pickup in factory output and recovery in business sentiment hit by the devastating earthquake in March.

A delegation from Russia's Gazprom OAO visiting North Korea has held talks with officials from the Ministry of Oil Industry there, North Korea's central news agency reported late on Tuesday.

Chinese banking shares fell for a second day on Wednesday, while the euro clawed back losses but was still seen at risk after Moody's slashed Portugal's credit rating to junk status, reigniting fears that it may need a second rescue package.