In Monday's Europe papers

19 May 2008 06:00  [Source: ICIS news]

FINANCIAL TIMES

Front page

Tokyo set to relax investment stance
Japan’s Cabinet Office will call on Monday for reforms to promote foreign takeovers of Japanese companies, including a cut in corporate taxes and a review of investment restrictions to “dramatically increase” foreign direct investment.

UN chief invited to Burma after cyclone
Burma’s military rulers have invited Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, to visit the country for talks, amid tentative hopes that the regime could be poised to allow a greater flow of foreign relief to millions of cyclone survivors.

Companies and markets

Microsoft renews approach to Yahoo
Microsoft has made a fresh approach to Yahoo about a deal to combine part of their online businesses, though this time the proposal stops short of a full acquisition of the internet media company, Microsoft said on Sunday.

Europe aims for S Korean trade pact
The EU is setting its sights on a trade deal with South Korea that would bring it closer to its long-term goal of strengthening the EU’s political and economic presence in Asia.

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE

Front page

Outbursts of anti-immigrant violence spread in Johannesburg
Violence against immigrants, like some windswept fire, spread across one neighborhood after another here in one of South Africa's main cities this weekend, and the police said the mayhem left at least 12 people dead--beaten by mobs, shot, stabbed or burned alive.

In rubble, Chinese couple clung to each other, and to life
At the moment of greatest despair, Wang Zhijun tried to kill himself by twisting his neck against the debris. Breathing had become harder as day turned to night. The chunks of brick and concrete that had buried him and his wife were pressing tighter by the hour, crushing them. Their bodies had gone numb.

Marketplace

Pursuing Yahoo again, Microsoft shows need for a Web franchise
Two weeks after walking away from takeover talks with Yahoo, Microsoft made clear on Sunday that it still needed to create an Internet powerhouse that could rival Google--and that its interest in Yahoo had not waned.

Banks' terms imperil deal to buy out Bell Canada
The $51.8bn (€33.1bn) takeover of Bell Canada, the largest leveraged buyout ever proposed, appeared to be in trouble over the weekend as the Wall Street banks that committed to finance the deal sought to renegotiate the lending terms, people on both sides of the transaction said on Sunday.

THE MOSCOW TIMES

Front page

Spy charges fuel Georgian tensions
The Federal Security Service said Friday that its agents had caught a Georgian spy and accused Tbilisi of aiding rebels in the North Caucasus in an episode likely to heighten tensions between the countries. 

Gays ask Medvedev to permit parade
The Moscow organizers of a gay-pride parade have appealed to President Dmitry Medvedev to help circumvent a city ban on their event by granting them permission to hold it on federal land within the city. 

Business

Sechin points to efficiency at Rosneft
Rosneft's stellar growth proves that state control over companies does not necessarily hurt efficiency, Igor Sechin, the company's chairman and newly appointed deputy prime minister, said in comments published Friday.

Watchdog seeks frozen meat processing ban
The country's consumer rights watchdog is looking to ban the processing of frozen meat into sausages, hams, dumplings and other products, which, producers say, may cut imports and damage the industry. 

DER SPIEGEL

Front page

Burma's Junta has the west over a barrel
Shari Villarosa is usually known for her strong words. After all, the charge d'affaires of the US Embassy in Rangoon, who in the absence of a US ambassador to Burma is the highest ranking US diplomat in the country, was the first person to talk about a death toll of 100,000 after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma on 2 May.

German minister criticised for planned meeting with Dalai Lama
Germany's Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul is to meet with the Dalai Lama in Berlin on Monday--the only member of Angela Merkel's government who will meet the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader during his visit to Germany.

TURKISH DAILY

Front page

Turkey readies to go cold turkey
While smokers and businesses are still trying to understand the extent of the new smoking regulations that will come in effect Monday, many believe it will not be easy to implement the ban.

Unique Bodrum under threat
Shock and anger greeted the announcement from Ankara on 7 May that gave the green light to tourism hotels and developments for building up to five storeys high on Bodrum peninsula coastlines.

Business and finance

Earthquake exposes insurance problem in Chinese economy
The most powerful earthquake in China since 1950 shows the nation's insurance industry is decades behind those of the world's biggest economies.

Turkey to top with rate hike
The Central Bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points, as expected, and announced late Thursday that the overnight borrowing rate has been increased to 15.75%. With the decision, Turkey once again became the “interest rate champion” in Europe, surpassing Iceland's repurchase rate of 15.50%.

WARSAW BUSINESS JOURNAL

Front page

(no news updates)

By: Staff Reporter
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