In Friday's Asia papers

29 May 2009 02:00  [Source: ICIS news]

ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japan

Front page

Team scores 1st in transgenic test

In a world first, Japanese researchers have successfully introduced genetic changes to primates that have been passed on to offspring, creating monkeys with a gene that makes their skin glow fluorescent green.

Key privatization project rolled back

The government, rolling back yet another structural reform program of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, decided Wednesday to maintain substantial control over the Development Bank of Japan.

Business & Industry

No new updates.

CHINA DAILY, China

Front page

Mainland open to DPP visits, plans trade tours

Officials from Taiwan's opposition are welcome to visit the Chinese mainland, an official said Wednesday.

Dalai Lama invite 'could hurt ties'

Chinese observers believe an invitation from Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe to the Dalai Lama could derail Sino-French relations just as they were getting back on track.

Business & Industry

Index shows 5th straight monthly gain

China's benchmark stock index rose, completing a fifth monthly gain, as raw-material producers and shipping companies climbed on higher commodity prices and increased transportation rates.

120b yuan saved for taxpayers in Q1

China's tax payers have enjoyed tax reductions of 120 billion yuan ($17.65 billion) in the first quarter, as the country offered cuts to stimulate the slowing economy, Vice Minister of Finance Zhang Shaochun said at a press conference here Wednesday.

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

Front page

Ma urges US to sell advanced fighters

President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday he hoped to see Washington sell F-16C/D fighter jets to Taiwan, emphasizing that improved cross-strait relations did not clash with Taipei’s relationship with the international community.

Taipei exodus marks start of long weekend

While hundreds of thousands of travelers hit the road on the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday yesterday, Taipei Railway Station and Songshan Airport were also packed with holidaymakers.

Business & Industry

Growth forecast for PC makers

Shipments from the top five contract makers should total 27.59 million units in the second quarter, up 11 percent from the first quarter, Merrill Lynch forecast

Wang son seeks to administrate estate

As administrator of Wang Yung-ching’s estate, Winston Wong would gather assets, make distributions and help determine who the proper heirs are

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

Front page

Koreans gather for funeral of ex-President Roh

Amid tight security and a solemn atmosphere, a long line of South Koreans encircled the stone walls of Seoul's most prominent ancient palace early Friday morning for the funeral of former President Roh Moo-hyun, according to Yonhap News.

GNP adopts resolution to denounce N.K.

The ruling Grand National Party adopted a resolution denouncing North Korea's second nuclear firing during a party meeting yesterday.

Business & Industry

Mahathir warns of digital-age disasters

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday warned of potential disasters in the digital age, saying the current global financial crisis was party due to abuses of digital knowledge.

Minimum BIS ratio lowered to 10%

The Financial Supervisory Service said yesterday that it signed an MOU with 18 commercial banks under which they will be required to maintain a minimum BIS capital ratio of 10 percent, compared with the current 11 to 12 percent.

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

Front page

PKFZ AUDIT REPORT: PKA bungled the project, says report

The audit report on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) released yesterday concluded that weak governance and project management by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) were the two major factors that severely undermined the viability of the project.

Jaya Disaster: Search for trapped workers continues

A portion of the once popular Jaya Shopping Centre in Section 14 here collapsed yesterday, killing two and injuring two others, with five more trapped in the rubble. All were Indonesians.

Business & Industry

MRCB, Gapurna team up

Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd and Gapurna are expected to finish developing the RM1 billion '348 Sentral' project by the third quarter of 2012

AirAsia has best first quarter

The budget carrier's net profit grew 26 per cent to RM203.15 million in the three months ended March 31 2009

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

Front page

Swine flu infects 38 people on Carnival cruise ship

Carnival Corp's luxury cruise ship Pacific Dawn has been asked not to stop at ports in north Queensland after 38 people caught swine flu during a South Pacific cruise, Australian health officials said

Temasek's 6-year report card shows $56b gain

Temasek Holdings's portfolio grew $56 billion since March 2003 - as its $58 billion loss last year came after 'a much greater gain' of $114 billion in the five preceding years.

Business & Industry

Democrats, Republicans differ in views of stimulus impact

As President Barack Obama marked 100 days since his US$787 billion economic stimulus was set in motion, Democrats and Republicans painted starkly different portraits on Wednesday on how the plan is doing.

Protectionism rising amid downturn: Japan

Japan warned of rising protectionism and unfair trade practices amid the global downturn in a report yesterday, raising concern about a recent 'Buy American' plan and China's stricter IT rules.

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

Front page

PM mulls end to martial law in South

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is considering replacing the much-criticised martial law in the strife-torn South with a new security law.

Thaksin's asset case starts in July

The Supreme Court will begin hearing testimony of witnesses for the defence in the trial of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on July 16 in his 76-billion-baht asset seizure case.

Business & Industry

GM secures US bankruptcy deal

Fallen US auto giant General Motors pulled back from the brink Thursday, winning government and bondholder support for a new restructuring plan while Chrysler waited for a court to decide its future.

Toyo-Thai to sell 130m shares in IPO

Toyo-Thai Corporation Plc, a leading construction company, will list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand on June 16 as the main board's first initial public offering this year.

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

Front page

Singapore confirms 3 more swine flu cases

Singapore's health ministry has confirmed that three more people have contracted swine flu, a day after announcing the country's first case.

Nine Indonesian workers trapped, one dead in Malaysia supermarket accident

Nine Indonesian construction workers were trapped in the rubbles of the collapsed Jaya Supermarket in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after demolition operations went awry on Thursday evening.

Business & Industry

OPEC oil cartel keeps output steady

OPEC oil ministers on Thursday avoided the temptation to cut crude production and trample on the seedlings of economic recovery. Instead, they bet on prices floating higher as the recession eases and demand for oil picks up.

Lawmakers urge govt to finish regulation on biofuel subsidies

The government proposes to the House of Representatives to allocate Rp 1.55 trillion (US$150.52 million)  for biofuel subsidies in 2010, but lawmakers are concerned the needed regulation is not finished.

By: Staff Reporter
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