January 2, 2012
Hyundai and Kia predict slower sales growth in 2012
Hyundai and its affiliate Kia Motors have said they expect sales growth in 2012 to be sharply slower than 2011 due to the global economic downturn. The South Korean carmakers said they expect sales to rise by 6% next year to 7 million vehicles.…
January 2, 2012
India may ‘reverse’ monetary policy to boost growth
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said it may ease its monetary policy amid fears of a global economic slowdown. Duvvuri Subbarao, the governor of RBI, told the BBC the bank is likely to shift its focus towards boosting growth. The RBI has raised…
January 2, 2012
China Hints at Loosening Exchange Rate
China's central bank governor hinted Saturday that the exchange rate for country's currency - the yuan - could be loosened in the near future. In an interview with the weekly magazine Caixin, Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People's Bank of…
January 2, 2012
Fiji Announces Lifting of State of Emergency
Fiji's military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama said Monday that he will lift a two-year state of emergency next Saturday and begin a process of drafting a new constitution leading to new elections in 2014. In his New Year's message, Mr. Bainimarama…
January 2, 2012
Nigeria fury as fuel prices double after subsidy ends
Ordinary Nigerians and trade unionists have condemned the government for withdrawing a fuel price subsidy which has led some petrol prices to double and many filling stations to stay shut. The BBC's Chris Ewokor in the capital, Abuja, says…
January 2, 2012
Egypt’s generals move up next round of elections
Egypt's ruling military council has moved up the scheduled elections for the upper house of parliament by nearly three weeks, with voting now scheduled to start in late January, the state news agency MENA reported Sunday. Balloting will be held…
January 2, 2012
Iran Announces Missile Test After Nuclear Development
Iran says it has successfully tested a cruise missile, a day after announcing another missile test and a new development in its nuclear program. State media reported the ground-to-sea cruise missile test Monday, the last day of Naval exercises.…
January 2, 2012
Seoul Sees Opportunity for Better Ties with North Korea
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak says a new era in inter-Korean relations can be opened if North Korea shows sincerity. In a nationally televised New Year's address Monday, Mr. Lee said there is a new opportunity on the Korean peninsula as the…
January 1, 2012
Kelly Rowland wants to get a ‘movie kiss’ on New Year’s Eve
The former Destiny's Child star is currently single, but says she would like to see 2012 in with a passionate embrace. She said: "I don't know what I'm doing, but hopefully I'll just get a kiss! I want a good kiss where someone just takes your face…
January 1, 2012
Rihanna To Perform New Year’s Eve Concert in Barbados
Bajan pop star Rihanna is set to perform a private concert in Barbados on New Year's Eve, where the audience will include Simon Cowell. This is AWESOME! The government of Barbados has invested a lot of money in Rihanna as an Ambassador and it…