In Friday's Asia papers

08 August 2008 02:08  [Source: ICIS news]

ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japan

 

Front page

 

No blue skies ahead for economy

While mincing its words somewhat, the government on Thursday effectively concluded the nation's economy has turned downward, which means Japan's longest postwar economic expansion that began in February 2002 is most likely over.

 

Mayors lead disarmament push

In Nagasaki's peace declaration Saturday marking the 63rd anniversary of its atomic bombing, Mayor Tomihisa Taue is set to take an unprecedented step.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

No new updates

 

 

CHINA DAILY, China

 

Front page

 

Consumer inflation may continue to fall

China's consumer inflation may continue to decline in July, marking the second consecutive month this year that it has dropped, according to economists' estimates.

 

China a 'constructive partner' in trade talks

Australia sees China as a constructive partner to work with to break the stalemate in the Doha round of trade talks, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Thursday.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

No new updates

 

 

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

 

Front page

 

Activists hold protests ahead of Games

On the eve of the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony, about 100 people joined a candlelight vigil in Taipei organized by several human rights groups, urging China to fulfill its Olympic promises and stop human rights abuses.

 

China parades torch on Wall, deports critics

China paraded the Olympic torch along its ancient Great Wall yesterday — a day before the opening of the Games in which Beijing wants to showcase its modern face but which have also galvanized global protests over human rights.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

Cabinet to speed up rules on market liberalization

The government will speed up market liberalization by easing 97 rules and regulations by the end of this year and 23 other laws next year, the Executive Yuan said yesterday.

 

Chinese demand will propel ICT industry: analysts

Rising consumer electronics demand in China over the next few years will provide tremendous growth opportunities for information and communications technology (ICT) industry players worldwide, a local market researcher said yesterday.

 

 

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

 

Front page

 

BOK raises key rate to curb inflation

The Bank of Korea yesterday raised the key interest rate to an eight-year high of 5.25 percent, prioritizing inflation control over growth.

 

Partisan battle hobbles Assembly

The National Assembly is again heading toward paralysis as rival parties tangle over everything from Cabinet appointments to U.S. beef imports, a political corruption scandal and the fate of the state-run KBS's leader.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

Supermarkets go back in time to spur spending

Major supermarket chains here are offering generous discount events on basic necessities to help revive slowing sales, amid dwindling consumer sentiment fueled by inflation worries.

 

Pump prices continue to slide

The nation's retail gasoline price continued to fall, dipping to its lowest level in 12 weeks yesterday due to cheaper crude oil costs.

 

 

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

 

Front page

 

Anwar: Charge accuser, too

Moments after claiming trial for alleged sodomy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim questioned why his accuser was not charged along with him. The Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader pointed out that the charge implied that the alleged act was consensual.

 

No untoward incidents

Except for traffic jams along several roads leading to the Jalan Duta court complex and shouts of "reformasi", no untoward incidents were reported yesterday in connection with the charging of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

RAM lowers forecast for debt issues to RM35b

The rating agency's key assumption for this lower credit demand is a sharper-than-anticipated slowdown in private investment, says RAM

 

Maybank's chief to meet Indonesian regulator?

Maybank's president is likely to ask Indonesia's regulator for up to five years to dispose of a 20 per cent stake in Bank Internasional Indonesia to the public

 

 

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

 

Front page

 

For banks, an even harder climb starts now

Lending activity has held its own, and there is no sign yet of a sudden spike in bad loans, but the outlook for the rest of the year is deeply uncertain, said banks here.

 

Citigroup hit with US$7 billion settlement

New York Attorney-General Andrew Cuomo says he has reached a settlement worth more than US$7 billion with Citigroup that requires the company to buy back auction-rate securities from about 40,000 customers in the United States.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

Market slides after Wednesday's bounce

WEDNESDAY'S bounce was followed immediately by a volatile and weak session yesterday, a relatively inexplicable development given that Hong Kong managed a rise and Europe opened with modest gain.

 

Take pharma out of production data: DBS

THE inherent large swings in pharmaceutical manufacturing exaggerates the real state of the economy. So, there should be a separate industrial production index and a GDP series that exclude the volatile industry, a DBS research report suggests.

 

 

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

 

Front page

Thaksin: I'll be back

Two intimates of the family of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra waved off speculation on Thursday he would go into exile to avoid court cases and possible prison sentences.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

No new updates

 

 

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

 

Front page

 

Philippine rebels agree to leave occupied lands

A guerrilla leader says Muslim rebels will comply with a Philippine government ultimatum to vacate nine southern villages and avoid confrontation with military forces.

 

 

Business & Industry

 

No new updates

By: Staff Reporter
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