Aug 22 (Reuters) - GLOBAL MARKETS ROUNDUP
* Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange down 0.96percent, while the MSCI-Asia Pacific index excluding Japan falls 1.1 percent.
* Asian markets were thrown a lifeline on Thursday whensurprisingly strong data on China's huge manufacturing sectorhelped offset rising U.S. bond yields, lifting currencies andshares from deep early lows.
* U.S. stocks ended lower in choppy trading on Wednesdayafter minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's July meetingoffered few clues on the timing of a reduction in itsbond-buying program.
KEY FACTORS/EVENTS TO WATCH
* Anil Ambani, chairman of Reliance Communications Ltd, third-biggest mobile phone carrier, is set to appearas a witness in a New Delhi court hearing a case of allegedcorruption in telecommunications licences award five years ago.
INDIAN STOCKS TO WATCHFor additional press items double click NOTE: Reuters has not verified third-party stories and does notvouch for their accuracy.
Cabinet likely to consider Direct Taxes Code Bill onThursday - PTI in Economic Times(http://link.reuters.com/was52v)
India cbank chief, panel agreed on July rate action -
Asian Paints raises stake in Berger to 75.82 pct - PTI inBusiness Standard(http://link.reuters.com/xas52v)
Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla to raise Hindalco stake to 37pct for Rs 21.65 bln - Economic Times(http://link.reuters.com/zas52v)
India accepts Vodafone's informal talks offer - EconomicTimes(http://link.reuters.com/fes52v)
India's June FDI inflows up 16 pct y/y - govt -
Forward Markets Commission may soon become arm of SEBI -Financial Express(http://link.reuters.com/bes52v)
Carlyle in talks to buy 28 pct stake in North-based hospital- Business Standard(http://link.reuters.com/des52v)
(Compiled By Manoj Rawal)