In Monday's Asia papers

05 January 2009 01:00  [Source: ICIS news]

ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japan

Front page

Aso: No snap election until budget passes Diet

Despite dismal public approval ratings, Prime Minister Taro Aso said Sunday his priority was to pass legislation to revive the economy before he could even consider calling an early election.

Suspect eluded police long enough to kill

A man arrested over the weekend eluded police surveillance just long enough to apparently kill a homeless man Friday in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, officials said.

Business & Industry

No new updates.

CHINA DAILY, China

Front page

Gaza civilians suffer as Israel tighten grip

Israeli troops and tanks split the Gaza Strip and ringed its main city on Sunday in an offensive against Hamas that has killed 500 Palestinians, including a growing number of civilians.

Austere parade on 60th anniversary

The country's major achievements, including the PLA's latest military weaponry and equipment, will be on display at the 60th anniversary parade. But austerity will be order of the day, People.com.cn said Sunday.

Business & Industry

New Year's retail sales open with a bang

Retail sales on the first three days of 2009 rose 13 percent year-on-year, showing the government's efforts to spur domestic demand to prevent an economic slowdown are yielding results.

Gasfield not in disputed waters

China's exploration of a gasfield in the East China Sea is its inherent sovereign right as the area does not fall in disputed waters, foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Sunday.

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

Front page

Gazans flee advancing Israeli troops

Frantic families in Gaza fled advancing Israeli troops by car and on foot yesterday to the sound of booming explosions as infantry supported by tanks thrust farther into the Hamas-run enclave.

PRC broke deal on disputed gas field, Tokyo says

China has violated an agreement with Japan by continuing to develop a gas field in a disputed area in the East China Sea, a press report said yesterday.

Business & Industry

No new updates.

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

Front page

Partisan standoff seen to be abating

The partisan standoff over contentious bills showed signs of abating yesterday after the National Assembly speaker positively responded to a call by the main opposition Democratic Party to promise not to put them to a floor vote.

Silver lining for Korean economy

Warning signs are flashing all over the dashboard: Korea's economy is faced with its toughest challenge in years. Even President Lee Myung-bak warned of the possibility of negative growth in the first half of 2009.

Business & Industry

Korea must turn crisis into opportunity: KITA head

With the slowing world economy hitting Korea hard, the nation is facing the biggest economic crisis since the 1997-98 Asian financial meltdown.

New loan growth slows in second half of 2008

New loans extended by local banks and savings banks to smaller firms and households slowed during the second half of 2008, as banks sought to secure their assets and raise capital adequacy ratios, data showed yesterday.

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

Front page

School Dropouts: Many quit because they can't cope

Thirteen-year-old Michael Losion works as a greasing-boy for a contractor.

Attack on Gaza: Dark and cold Gaza waits for help as Israel steps up war

Frantic families across Gaza cowered in cellars and any shelter they could find early on Monday as the Israeli army struck at Hamas fighters for a second night.

Business & Industry

YTL power pitch tests govt policy

YTL Power wants to extend its power purchase agreement with Tenaga by another five years as well as a licence to build a new plant

Call to monitor ringgit speculation abroad

Malaysia is not in recession, so its currency should not be lower than those countries already in recession, says a former Bursa Malaysia president

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

Front page

Dubai dream shatters as job losses mount

Dubai's rapid expansion in recent years provided jobs for millions. But the global financial meltdown has abruptly ended the dream for many people as more and more firms sack staff to cut costs.

Pillar of strength in a wilting economy

The construction sector looks to be the only pillar of growth in the Singapore economy this year, especially if there are significant increases in public infrastructure spending.

Business & Industry

Obama mulls big boost in aid for jobless

President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are considering major expansions of government-assisted healthcare insurance and unemployment compensation as they begin intensive work this week on a two- year economic recovery package.

Fed needs to mimic below-zero rates

A grim economic outlook highlights the need for the Federal Reserve to step up quantitative measures to boost growth, with official interest rates already effectively at zero, Charles Evans, president of the Chicago Fed, said on Saturday.

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

Front page

Santika shareholder says sorry

Major shareholder of the Santika pub Wisuk Setsawat yesterday reported to police to testify about the New Year pub fire, as authorities prepared to press two charges against his managing director.

Search for loved ones continues in the rubble

The place no longer has flashing lights, nor a pulsing music beat. No food and drinks are on sale, nor are well-dressed pub-goers milling around.

Business & Industry

Kasemkij still sees room to grow

Kasemkij Co, which owns and runs the Cape House, Kantary and Kameo serviced apartments, has reaffirmed that it will open three property projects in 2009 as scheduled with a total investment of 1.5 billion baht despite the world economic crisis and local political instability.

Cinema industry counting on heroes to fill seats

In difficult times, heroes make people happy, something the local cinema industry is banking on as it seeks to fill seats in 2009.

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

Front page

Rights group vows to pursue ex-spy over murder

Human rights bodies have promised to fight for an appeal of former National Intelligence Agency (BNI) deputy chairman Muchdi Purwopranjono's acquittal for the murder of human rights campaigner Munir Said Thalib.

Business & Industry

No new updates.

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

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