In Monday's Asia Papers

21 January 2008 02:13  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--These were the top stories at 1:00 GMT in the following Northeast Asia/ Southeast Asia newspapers on Monday.

 

These stories have been taken from the Internet editions of the papers. ICIS has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

 

ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japan

Front page

 

Panel recommends full ban on surrogacy

An advisory panel set up by the Science Council of Japan is recommending a ban on all surrogate births, including criminal penalties against anyone involved in surrogacy for profit.

 

Business & Industry

 

Fujitsu to spin off chip division

Fujitsu Ltd. plans to set up its chip division as a separate company as early as this spring to streamline operations and prepare for a possible tie-up with a rival, sources said.

 

CHINA DAILY, China

Front page

 

MOC: Food supply ensured ahead of Spring Festival 

The governed will take concrete measures to ensure adequate supplies of pork and cooking oil ahead of the Spring Festival shopping spree.

 

Success of Olympics top priority

Cutting emissions and curbing pollution are among the Beijing municipal government's agenda this year for the Olympics. 

 

Business & Industry

 

Food supply ensured ahead of Spring Festival
The governed will take concrete measures to ensure adequate supplies of pork and cooking oil ahead of the Spring Festival shopping spree.

 

Consumer goods retail sales hit $1.2m in 2007
The consumer goods retail sales in China have surged 17 percent to stand at 8.9 million yuan ($1.2 million) in 2007, falling far short of the national output growth, said the Commerce Ministry.

 

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

Front page

 

Clinton, Obama split victory in Nevada

Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shift their fight to South Carolina after a split result in Nevada's contest failed to yield a clear winner in the battle for the US Democratic presidential nomination.

 

Hezbollah chief mocks Israel in Ashura speech

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday made his first public appearance since the 2006 war with Israel, restating his claim that the militant group possessed the remains of several Israeli soldiers left on the battlefields of southern Lebanon.

 

Business & Industry

 

Chi Mei posts record revenues

In a statement posted on its Web site yesterday, Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), the world's fourth-largest LCD maker, reported record-high revenues of NT$301.7 billion (US$9.4 billion) last year.

 

EU will soon establish center in Taiwan

The EU intends to work with universities in Taiwan to establish a "European Union Center" this year to promote bilateral relations and increase Taiwanese awareness of the EU, the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) said, announcing the ambitious plan for the new year.

 

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

Front page

 

U.S. beef imports ban likely to be phased out

Seoul may gradually lift all of its restrictions on U.S. beef imports, amid continuing safety concerns among the public, triggered by a case of mad cow disease in 2003, government sources said.

 

Navy to equip Aegis with new missiles

The Navy plans to arm its Aegis-equipped destroyers with improved U.S.-made anti-ballistic missiles able to intercept North Korea's long-range missiles.

 

Business & Industry

 

Proposed property tax cut will benefit few people

The benefits of the proposed cut in capital gains tax is likely to be felt only by home owners in the more expensive areas of the country.

 

Businesses to boost hiring

Major companies are expected to hire more workers this year than last year to secure top-notch employees and ensure smooth operation of their steadily expanding overseas business, according to industry sources.

 

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

Front page

 

Clip maker may reveal Lingam's state of mind
KUALA LUMPUR: All ears will be tuned to Loh Gwo Burne and Anti-Corruption Agency officer Chuah Lay Choo as the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the "Lingam" video clip enters the second week.

 

BN aims to regain seats

KANGAR: State Umno members have pledged to put the party above personal interest when the candidates list for the general election is announced. State Umno liaison committee chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the grassroots members had promised to support Barisan Nasional candidates, regardless of whether they had personal differences with the particular candidate.

 

Business & Industry 

 

US woes may rattle markets again

MALAYSIAN shares look set to be rattled again today after Wall Street brushed off a government plan to shore up the US economy late last week, raising fears of a recession.

 

MK Land targets RM200m en bloc sales

MK LAND Holdings Bhd, a developer, plans to raise up to RM200 million from en bloc sales of its residential properties, a deal that could kick-start its turnaround.

 

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

Front page

 

Waterfront Waves enjoys brisk sales

DEFYING wide consensus of a more subdued private property market here amid US sub-prime woes, house hunters bought half the 120 units launched over the weekend at Waterfront Waves.

 

Surge in foreign funds causes worries in US

(NEW YORK) For much of the world, the United States is now on sale at discount prices. With credit tight, unemployment growing and worries mounting about a potential recession, American business and government leaders are courting foreign money to keep the economy growing.

 

Business & Industry

 

E3, Jade buy 49% of Jilin refinery for 241m yuan

E3 HOLDINGS and Jade Technologies, mainboard-listed companies linked to venture capitalist Anthony Soh, are together buying a 49 per cent stake in an oil refinery in China's Jilin province for about 241 million yuan (S$47.8 million).

 

Sing unit seeks to join appeal over en bloc ruling

SING Holdings said its joint venture vehicle is filing an intervention application with the High Court to be added as a party to the appeal made by majority owners of Finland Gardens in Siglap against the ruling that dismissed their en bloc transaction.

 

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

Front page

 

Commentary: Nothing can stop him now

Unless there is a miracle, which is unlikely, or there is a last-minute change of heart by the Man in London, Samak Sundaravej will definitely be named Thailand's 25th prime minister on Friday, when the House is due to nominate a candidate or candidates for the premier's post.

 

Murder probes fizzle out

Nakhon Ratchasima - The inquiry into some 2,500 extra-judicial killings during the war on drugs by the Thaksin Shinawatra government has found no evidence which would enable the punishment of those involved, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on Sunday.

 

Business & Industry

 

Automatic models do well in 2007

A slow economy and shrinking consumer confidence and spending caused sales in the local motorcycle market to plunge last year, according to the market leader, AP Honda Co.

 

AIS in talks with Apple to sell iPhones

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has joined with strategic partner Singapore Telecom (SingTel) to bring Apple's much-touted iPhone to the region, including Thailand.

 

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

Front page

 

Soeharto's health better, protesters seek justice
As the condition of former president Soeharto has improved, protests have begun to take place at Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta, where the 86-year-old is undergoing intensive treatment.

 

Voters protest registration errors
Thousands of supporters of Jazuli Juwaini and Airin Rachmi Diany, who are running together for Tangerang regency office, staged a protest at the compound of the local election commission on Saturday, one day prior to the scheduled election.

 

Business & Industry

 

Telkomsel to seek $750 million in financing

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's biggest mobile telephone operator Telkomsel plans to seek a minimum of US$750 million to help finance its capital expenditure this year, which is expected to range from $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion.

 

Holcim, Mortar join forces to expand horizons

JAKARTA (JP): The third largest cement manufacturer in the country, PT Holcim Indonesia, signed a cooperation agreement Friday with local instant cement manufacturer PT Cipta Mortar Utama.

 

ICIS Copyright © Reed Business Information 2009

Author: Staff Reporter
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