A research report by U.S. Treasury officials shows that rising oil prices have become an important factor leading to global trade imbalances, and oil exporters should work with the United States, Asia and European countries to contribute to adjusting trade imbalances.

According to the 2006 company investment plan adopted by Gazprom, it was decided to complete an investment of approximately 310.1 billion rubles (US$11 billion), including 278.42 billion rubles for infrastructure investment and 31.68 billion rubles for long-term financial investment.

Reuters, Pakistan, March 1: Armed men attacked a gas pipeline in southwestern Pakistan's Baluchistan on Wednesday, the latest attack in the southern province where rebels are fighting for greater autonomy, Pakistani officials said.

CNET Technology Information Network reported on March 1 that Microsoft is considering allowing users to "use less hands and use more feet" when handling email tasks.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan recently announced that Japan plans to kill more than 1,200 whales in the 2006 fishing season for scientific research.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently wrote an article saying that as the rotating chairman of the G8, Russia hopes to include the establishment of a global energy security system as one of the strategic tasks of the G8.

A report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on the 28th stated that the U.S. economic growth rate in the fourth quarter of last year was 1.6% on an annual basis, higher than the 1.1% announced a month ago, but it was still the slowest quarter in the past three years.

The monthly survey report released by the European Commission on the 28th showed that the economic sensitivity index and business climate index of the Eurozone increased in February this year, indicating that the economic situation of the Eurozone was improving.