The deepening financial turmoil and the transition in the US government has pushed the coming fifth China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) further into the limelight.

The high-level Sino-US Strategic Economic Dialogue will start Thursday, with all eyes on how the two major economies will face the global financial crisis together.

The CSRC said that a probe into Huang Guangyu, chairman of Gome, was mainly because of his alleged irregularities in asset restructuring and swaps in two listed companies.

President Hu Jintao attends the APEC summit in Lima and leaders plege free trade.

Three American men have taken the unusual step of moving to China in an extreme attempt to shed huge amounts of weight at a fat reduction clinic -- and have become surprise local celebrities.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of China's manufacturing sector dropped to 38.8 percent in November, down 5.8 percentage points from October, China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) told Xinhua on Monday.

Academics and leading research facilities are urging the Chinese and the US governments to make more concrete policies to enhance bilateral cooperation in key sectors.

Chinese equities staged a big rally on Wednesday, with the key Shanghai index rising over four percent, which was led by gains of heavyweight banks and oils.

The sudden collapse of BHP Billiton's takeover of rival Rio Tinto Group on Nov 25 may give the Chinese steel industry a vantage point in the negotiation of iron ore prices.

Academics and leading research facilities are urging the Chinese and the US governments to make more concrete policies to enhance bilateral cooperation in key sectors.

China could next year notch up growth of 9 percent, or even above, as the country pulls out all stops to stimulate investment and consumption.

Somali pirates have freed a Yemeni cargo ship they seized last week after successful negotiations between regional authorities, local clan elders and the gunmen, a local official said on Wednesday.

The UN Security Council unanimously voted Tuesday to extend the mandate for states to fight Somali pirates and urge the United Nations to play a coordinating role in the endeavor.

Financial turmoil in the United States is taking toll on the global economy as the crisis spreads.

Top US diplomat Condoleezza Rice took time out from her busy diplomatic schedule Monday to play a little piano -- in the form of a recital at Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II, royal officials said.

Thailand's court ruling to dismiss Premier Somchai Wongsawat had prevented a slide into chaos but there is no quick solution to the political turmoil, the head of ASEAN said on Wednesday.

Turin Games' heroes Ren Hui, Li Nina, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao will head to Harbin to spearhead China's assault on the 24th Winter Universiade next year.

China's pride and joy in the field of athletics will go under the knife later this month in Houston.

Burnley's winning run against teams from London continued on Tuesday with a 2-0 defeat of Arsenal to reach the semi-finals of the English League Cup.

World number one Jelena Jankovic is doubtful for the Sydney International tournament despite earlier confirming her entry, organisers said on Wednesday.

The post-season bonus pool shares for the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies was $351,504, while a full share for the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays was $223,390.

Turin Games' heroes Ren Hui, Li Nina, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao will head to Harbin to spearhead China's assault on the 24th Winter Universiade next year.

Brad Pitt says he and Angelina Jolie moved to New Orleans because they felt "something mystical could happen" there.

Victoria Beckham has revealed she wanted to design dresses women can go to the toilet in.

Oscar-winning film director and fugitive Roman Polanski asked a Los Angeles court on Tuesday to dismiss a 30-year-old charge of unlawful sex with a minor, his lawyers said.

Keith Urban will tour North America next spring in support of his as-yet-untitled new album.

Singer Britney Spears performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" in New York on December 2, 2008.

Daniel Radcliffe says it "would be great" to get an erection on stage while performing in 'Equus'.

Kristen Johnston has become the latest celebrity to pose nude for PETA.

Website Stupid.com, which claims finding a truly stupid gift is an art form, on Tuesday unveiled its second annual list of the top 10 "stupidest" holiday gifts for 2008.

Although the global financial crisis is hurting sales, luxury goods companies should see sales and profit rise in 2008 and the next two years, albeit at a slower, single-digit pace.

The blaze broke out at a 600-sq-m chicken farm around 1:45 pm and quickly spread to cover the whole chicken farm.

A world renowned Chef at the helm, a beautifully renovated Shikumen, and a menu stacked with already well-known signatures. These are the sum parts that make up Le Platane.

Doctors-in-training are still too exhausted, says a new report that calls on hospitals to let them have a nap. Regulations that capped the working hours of bleary-eyed young doctors came just five years ago, limiting them to about 80 hours a week.

The second-phase repair work on the Potala Palace, an iconic building in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, is nearing completion.