Japan's economy grows briskly despite credit woes
TOKYO (AFP) -Japan's economy grew at a faster than expected 3.3 percent annualised pace in the first quarter of 2008 despite a global credit crunch and US economic slowdown, official figures showed Friday.@ 05-16-08 11:43:14

US stops short of branding China a currency manipulator
WASHINGTON (AFP) -The United States Thursday accused China of keeping its yuan currency "substantially undervalued," but stopped short of branding Beijing a currency manipulator.@ 05-16-08 09:32:28

Oil prices higher in Asian trade
SINGAPORE (AFP) -World oil prices rose in Asian trade Friday amid tight global supplies and as investors continued to buy into the commodity which has given better returns than bonds and equities, dealers said.@ 05-16-08 13:08:13

US urges SKorea quickly to open beef market
SEOUL (AFP) -US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez urged South Korea Friday quickly to open its market to American beef, and dismissed fears of mad cow disease which have brought thousands of protesters onto the streets.@ 05-16-08 12:59:52

Family feud at Hong Kong property giant heads to court
HONG KONG (AFP) -The chairman of one of the world's largest property firms has begun legal action against his two brothers, Hong Kong court documents show, the latest twist in a long-running feud at the family-run firm.@ 05-16-08 16:17:17

EU and SKorea agree to speed up free trade talks
BRUSSELS (AFP) -The EU and South Korea have agreed to speed up talks on a free trade pact in the hope of finalising a deal this year, a European official said Thursday at the end of a fresh round of discussions.@ 05-16-08 02:48:00

Malaysian minister steps into airline price war
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) -Malaysia's transport minister said Thursday he would try to resolve a cut-throat fare war between the national carrier and budget airline AirAsia, whose founder has complained of unfair competition.@ 05-16-08 01:28:55

Japan's Mizuho says earnings halved by credit crisis
TOKYO (AFP) -Japan's second-largest bank Mizuho Financial Group said Thursday that its annual net profit had roughly halved amid heavy losses from the subprime loan crisis in the United States.@ 05-15-08 23:54:07

SKorea, NZealand agree to explore FTA feasibility
SEOUL (AFP) -South Korea and New Zealand on Friday agreed to start talks to explore the feasibility of a free trade agreement, the presidential Blue House said Friday.@ 05-16-08 13:47:59

US mulls letting Japan sell US rice to cool prices: source
WASHINGTON (AFP) -The United States is considering allowing Japan to sell imported US rice on the global market, blocked by their bilateral agreement under the WTO, in an effort to curb soaring prices, a US trade official told AFP Thursday.@ 05-16-08 00:40:41