January 9, 2012
New loans beat forecast, as authorities ease credit
China's lending and money supply grew at a faster pace than expected as the country relaxed its credit restrictions. New loans worth 640.5bn yuan ($101bn; £65.6bn) were issued in December, up from 562.2bn yuan in November. Last month, the central…
January 9, 2012
Rolls-Royce car sales hit new record
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reported a 31% rise in sales during 2011 to 3,538 cars. The growth rate was weaker than that seen last year, when sales rose 150%. The year's sales nevertheless marked a fresh record for the BMW luxury marque.…
January 9, 2012
Hong Kong Airlines places $3.8bn Airbus A380 order
Hong Kong Airlines (HKA) has placed an order for 10 Airbus A380 aircraft worth about $3.8bn (£2.5bn) at list prices. The contract will be a relief for the European planemaker, as the order risked being derailed by a dispute between the European…
January 9, 2012
Japan Airlines plans to relist shares in Tokyo
Japan Airlines (JAL) is planning to relist its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange as the next step in its recovery from bankruptcy. The company may sell between 500bn yen ($6.5bn, £4.2bn) and 1tn yen of shares, reports have claimed. Should the…
January 9, 2012
Third ratings agency gives Hungary a junk credit rating
Fitch has become the third ratings agency to cut Hungary's credit rating to junk status. The agency blamed "unorthodox policies" for its decision to cut the country's rating from BBB- to BB+. Hungary's centre-right government has been accused of…
January 9, 2012
Malaysian Court Acquits Anwar of Sodomy
Malaysia's high court has acquitted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of charges of sodomy. The judge ruled Monday that the DNA used by prosecutors as evidence was unreliable. The judge also said there was not enough corroborating evidence proving…
January 9, 2012
Republican debate: Mitt Romney under fire
US Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has come under fire from fellow contenders ahead of Tuesday's primary vote in the state of New Hampshire. At a nationally televised debate on Sunday, the former Massachusetts governor's economic programme…
January 9, 2012
South Korean President to Visit China
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak arrives in Beijing Monday for an official visit that will focus on the North Korean leadership transition following the death last month of longtime President Kim Jong-Il. During his three-day stay, Mr. Lee is…
January 9, 2012
Ahmadinejad Begins Visit to Latin America
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has started a five-day Latin American tour that U.S. officials have called a sign of desperation for the country heavily sanctioned over its controversial nuclear program. Mr. Ahmadinejad arrived Sunday…
January 9, 2012
Protests, Repression to Continue in Middle East in 2012
The international human rights group Amnesty International has warned of another year of protests and government repression in the Middle East and North Africa, if the region's rulers do not ensure democratic and human rights for their people. In…