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Asian markets trading lower; Nikkei, Straits Times down

At 7: 42 am (IST), Asian markets were trading lower. Shanghai Composite shed 0.77%, Hang Seng was down 0.16% and Nikkei slipped 0.96%.

US challenges India's solar program restrictions at WTO

The United States has filed a case at the World Trade Organization challenging India's domestic content requirements for its national solar programme as violation of global trade rules, US trade officials said on Wednesday.

USADA extends deadline for Armstrong to cooperate

CYCLING-ARMSTRONG-USADA:USADA extends deadline for Armstrong to cooperate

China sets timetable for cleaner fuel standards

China's cabinet has issued a timetable for oil companies to deliver cleaner fuel nationwide beginning this year, the Xinhua news agency reported, but the new standards won't become mandatory for four years despite rising public anger over choking air pollution.

Ganeshaspeaks: Market prediction for February 7

At around 9:15, delivery-based buying is advisable. You may make an exit at around 10:20 says Dharmesh Joshi of Ganeshaspeaks.

Australia to crack down on match-fixing and doping in sport

AUSTRALIA-MATCHFIXING:Australia to crack down on match-fixing and doping in sport

S&P hires top defense attorney for $5bn lawsuit

Standard and Poor's has hired John Keker, one of the country's top white-collar defense attorneys, to help fight a USD 5 billion lawsuit brought by the US government this week.

U.S. singer Rihanna attends boyfriend Brown's community service hearing

PEOPLE-CHRISBROWN:U.S. singer Rihanna attends boyfriend Brown's community service hearing

Iran's Ahmadinejad seeks strategic axis with Egypt

EGYPT-IRAN:Iran's Ahmadinejad seeks strategic axis with Egypt

Even brief spending cuts could hit US economy hard

The US economy could take a big hit from automatic government spending cuts even if Congress only leaves them in place for a month or two.

FACTBOX - Main competition entries at Berlin film festival

FILM-BERLIN-FACTBOX:FACTBOX - Main competition entries at Berlin film festival

CIA nominee to face questions on interrogations, drones and leaks

OBAMA-NOMINATIONS-BRENNAN:CIA nominee to face questions on interrogations, drones and leaks

Asian shares pause, caution before ECB

MARKETS-GLOBAL:Asian shares pause, caution before ECB

Martial arts epic to kick-off Berlin Film Festival

The 2013 Berlin Film Festival kicks off on Thursday with "The Grandmaster", a martial arts epic from Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai who is also presiding over this year's jury.

Hodgson warns Lampard against U.S. move

SOCCER-ENGLAND-LAMPARD:Hodgson warns Lampard against U.S. move

Caicedo fires winner as Ecuador beat Portugal in thriller

SOCCER-FRIENDLY-PORTUGAL:Caicedo fires winner as Ecuador beat Portugal in thriller

Defeat for Scolari in Brazil return, Pedro lifts Spain

SOCCER-FRIENDLIES:Defeat for Scolari in Brazil return, Pedro lifts Spain

Nadal overcomes slow start to advance in Chile

TENNIS-MEN-CHILE-NADAL:Nadal overcomes slow start to advance in Chile

Tokyo's Nikkei share average opens down 0.50 percent

MARKETS-JAPAN-STOCKS:Tokyo's Nikkei share average opens down 0.50 percent

New York defends its 'Amazon tax' in court

TAX-AMAZON-COURT:New York defends its 'Amazon tax' in court

Ronaldinho misses penalty, taken off in ponderous return

SOCCER-BRAZIL-RONALDINHO:Ronaldinho misses penalty, taken off in ponderous return

Modigliani portrait fetches $42m at auction

A portrait of Jeanne Hebuterne painted by Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani a year before his death in 1920 sold on Wednesday for 26.9 million pounds (USD 42 million), above the high estimate set by Christie's auctioneers.

Healing hands come up trumps on PGA Tour

GOLF-PGA-PHYSIOS:Healing hands come up trumps on PGA Tour

Islamic summit opens with calls for Syrian dialogue

SYRIA-CRISIS-ISLAMIC:Islamic summit opens with calls for Syrian dialogue