CHINA

India set to ride the KPO wave: Report

The market for KPO or Knowledge Process Outsourcing, which follows the success waves created by ITO (Information and Technology Outsourcing) in the 1980s and the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) in the 1990s, is expected to touch $10-17 billion by 2010 and India is well poised to grab a major share of the market, a research paper released by the global audit, tax and advisory services group KPMG has revealed.

Oil Prices Stable Despite Fall in Consumer Confidence

Oil prices were mostly unchanged on Friday despite a report released today that of lower consumer confidence which triggered speculation that U.S. demand will fall.

Soybean, Oils Rallies on Expected China Demand as Wheat Gains

Soybean and soybean oil futures in Chicago increased amid speculations that demand from China will increase following strong winter storms that severely damaged China's crops.

China approves new mutual funds to support stocks

China's securities regulator has approved the creation of at least three new mutual funds to raise more than 20 billion yuan ($2.8 billion), in an apparent effort to support the sagging stock market, sources said on Friday.

Copper Declines Ahead of China's Inventories Report. Aluminum Gains

Copper declined on Thursday for a second day on speculation China's supplies will rise. Aluminum futures climbed.

Google to enter China's online music sector

Google plans to enter the online music market in China for the first time, as it steps up its battle with local incumbent Baidu.com Inc, media reported on Thursday. Google is expected to announce a joint venture with Top100.cn, to allow users to listen to and download licensed music files for free, major portal Sina.com said, citing local newspaper reports based on sources close to the U.S. firm.

China sets pollution reduction targets for 2008

China is stepping up efforts to fight pollution. It will aim to reduce its emissions of sulphur dioxide by 6 per cent from their 2005 levels this year, the top environmental official said in remarks published on Tuesday.

Copper Ends with Gains as LME Supplies Drop

Copper futures gained on Tuesday for a fifth straight session as inventories declined.

Weak dollar makes immigrant life tougher

The weakening U.S. dollar means some immigrants must dig deeper to send money home.

Olmert says certain Iran still seeks nuclear arms

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday Iran was still seeking to build nuclear weapons and called for a greater international effort to prevent Tehran from succeeding.

Space Shuttle, US Defense Secrets Stolen For China

Four people including a former Boeing engineer and US Defense Department weapons expert were held on Monday on suspicion of stealing Space Shuttle secrets and spying for China.

Copper Inventories Drop, Prices End Down

Copper futures fell in New York as inventories had a steep drop. Earlier copper had reached its highest price in three months on $3.5585 a pound.

EU to mobile operators: Cut costs or face regulation

EU Commissioner Viviane Reding will call on mobile phone operators in the EU to cut the cost of texting and internet use for customers who are abroad. Should they fail to comply operators could face EU regulation.

Euro up on tough ECB talk

The euro edged up against the dollar on Monday after tough talk from monetary policy-makers dented expectations for lower euro-zone interest rates while the yen climbed broadly as investors cut back on risky trades.

Telefonica expects to raise China Netcom stake

Spanish telecoms group Telefonica SA expects to raise its stake in China Netcom Group Corp to 10 percent in coming months, Chairman Cesar Alierta told Reuters on Monday.

Copper Gains as Inventories Drop, China's Demand Rises

Copper rose on Friday as demand increased and supplies dropped the most since October 30.

China fund nears $4 billion deal with JC Flowers: FT

China Investment Corporation, the Chinese sovereign wealth fund, is in talks with U.S. private equity group JC Flowers to put about $4 billion into a new fund to invest in ailing financial firms, the Financial Times said.

Japan Stocks Dip

Japanese stocks slumped into negative territory after data showed machinery orders fell more than three times faster than expected in December.

Google to Fight Baidu for Chinese Internet Market

Google Inc may partner with another Chinese company in an effort to capture the Chinese market after two years of operation in the region with stiff competition from Baidu.com Inc which leads the market and provides free, unlicensed music downloads.

Google planning China online music tie-up: report

Web search leader Google Inc is planning to boost its presence in China by tying up with a Chinese online music company to provide free music downloads, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Warner, Universal take action against Baidu

Three global record companies have launched legal proceedings against China's top Internet search engine Baidu.com Inc, accusing it of violating copyright by giving access to music files, an international music trade body said.

Natural Gas Increases as the Other Energy Sources Advance

Natural gas posted gains on Monday after the prices of alternative forms of energy increased.