In Wednesday's Asia papers

10 June 2009 02:00  [Source: ICIS news]

ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japan

Front page

A-bomb disease standards to be eased
A new government review is likely to ease the criteria by which hibakusha atomic-bomb survivors can be certified to be suffering from radiation-related illnesses, a high-ranking official said Tuesday.

Internet rife with threats of crime
One year after a stabbing spree in Tokyo's Akihabara district left seven people dead and 10 injured, websites abound with messages like the one used by the man indicted in that incident to forewarn of mayhem to come.

Business & Industry

No new updates.

CHINA DAILY, China

Front page

More India troops in disputed territory
India is attempting to extend its control over a disputed border area also claimed by China, experts said Tuesday, in response to reports that New Delhi was deploying "thousands more troops" in parts of "Arunachal Pradesh".

Top court clears way for Chrysler's sale
The Supreme Court Tuesday cleared the way for Chrysler's sale to Fiat, rejecting a plea to block the sale of most of Chrysler's assets to the Italian automaker.

Business & Industry

China, US move toward clean technology deal
While a "major breakthrough" appears to have eluded China and the US in the latest bilateral climate change talks, China did promise to strengthen scientific cooperation in the fight against global warming.

Outbound funds rule tweaked
China's foreign exchange regulator yesterday announced revised rules relaxing controls on companies' overseas investments in a bid to support more enterprises to venture out of the country.

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

Front page

MOFA scraps this year’s bid to join UN
Many US-based supporters of Taiwan are “bitterly disappointed” by indications from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) that Taipei will not renew its campaign for UN membership.

Obama working on plan to free jailed journalists
Sources say US President Barack Obama has become directly involved in developing a strategy to free Taiwanese-American Laura Ling and South Korean-American Euna Lee who have been sentenced to 12 years hard labor in a North Korean prison camp.

Business & Industry

Epistar optimistic on Q3 outlook
Epistar Corp, the nation’s biggest LED chipmaker, yesterday voiced optimism over the next quarter’s prospects, citing growing demand for chips used in new applications such as LED TVs.

Half of local SMEs see global pickup next year: UPS poll
Half of the nation’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expect the global economy to turn around next year and many believe the biggest growth opportunity lies in moving to higher value-added products and services, a survey by UPS International Inc said yesterday.

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

Front page

UNSC nears accord on N. Korea sanctions
Seven key nations neared agreement on Tuesday on a new U.N. resolution that would toughen sanctions against North Korea for defying the Security Council and conducting a second nuclear test, but diplomats said Russia still had problems with the text, the AP reported.

Prospects dim in Gaeseong talks
Prospects of a breakthrough when the two Koreas sit down for more talks on the future of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex tomorrow seem dim, since neither Seoul nor Pyongyang appear ready to narrow their differences.

Business & Industry

Banks encouraged to raise capital ratio
Domestic banks' BIS capital adequacy ratio rose in the first quarter, the Financial Supervisory Service said yesterday, but the regulator urged banks to raise them further. Banks' BIS capital adequacy ratio rose to an average of 12.94 percent at the end of March, an increase by 0.63 percentage points from the end of last year.

Q2 growth may outdo forecasts
Korea's economic growth in the second quarter may turn out to be better than previously expected, analysts said yesterday.

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

Front page

English as SPM compulsory subject: Majority says aye
Almost everyone is for the proposal to make English a compulsory pass subject at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level. The big question, however, is when.

Business & Industry

Hydro Hotel Penang for sale
The four-star Hydro Hotel Penang in Batu Ferringhi is up for sale for an estimated RM100 million, sources say.

Corporate Governance Index to pick top 100
The Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group initiative will scrutinise some 960 listed companies for conformance to good corporate governance

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

Front page

US House OKs legislation to spur auto sales
The US House of Representatives approved legislation on Tuesday intended to spur auto sales by providing consumers with up to US$4 billion in cash vouchers to buy more fuel-efficient cars and trucks.

Microsoft, Adobe warn of critical security flaws
Microsoft Corp issued software to fix a record 31 security flaws in its programs, and Adobe Systems Inc warned that glitches in its products could let hackers take control of a user's PC.

Business & Industry

Genting pays US$100m for MGM stake
Malaysian gaming group Genting has paid US$100 million for a 3.2 per cent stake in US casino operator MGM Mirage, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Bankruptcy judge OKs consolidating Madoff cases
A judge agreed on Tuesday to consolidate bankruptcy cases involving jailed swindler Bernard Madoff, saying the move would save money and increase the odds of retrieving stolen assets.

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

Front page

Taiwanese 'got flu here'
Authorities are investigating the case of two Taiwanese nationals who may have contracted the A(H1N1) virus while travelling in the Pattaya area.

Abhisit sees slow recovery
The prime ministers figures the economy will contract until the third quarter of this year but then grow one or two per cent during 2010, thanks to his stimulus plan.

Business & Industry

German exports, output plunge
German exports and industrial output posted record drops in April

Qatar may invest in Porsche
The German luxury sportscar maker Porsche said Tuesday it was in exclusive talks with Qatar over a possible stake in the company.

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

Front page

Suicide bombers strike luxury hotel in Pakistan
Suicide attackers shot their way past guards and set off a massive blast outside a luxury hotel where foreigners and well-to-do Pakistanis mixed, killing at least 11 people and wounding 70, officials said.

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

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