Senior party official dismissed from post

A senior Chinese Communist Party official who was a close aide to former President Hu Jintao has been removed from his post, state media said Wednes...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55764

5.5-magnitude quake jolts Taiwan

A 5.5-magnitude undersea earthquake struck Taiwan Wednesday and shook buildings in the capital, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55763

Govt logs surplus in first 8 months

The government has a surplus of HK$26.1 billion in the month of November, bringing a cumulative surplus to HK$22.6 billion before repayment of bonds a...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55762

Man killed in Kwai Chung car accident

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Kwai Chung this morning in which a 48-year-old man was killed. At about 11.24am, a medium-goods-...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55761

ECB warns against rise of populism in Europe

The rise of populist parties across Europe should act as a wake-up call for governments to finally get their economies in order, a top European Cent...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55760

European stocks rise at open

Europe's main stock market rose at the open on Wednesday, the last trading day of a tough year for the region's equities against a backdrop of weak ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55759

China shares end 2014 near five-year high

Chinese shares closed higher Wednesday on the last trading day of 2014, with Shanghai finishing at a near five-year high on hopes of monetary easing...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55758

Tenants wait until last day to pay rent

A number of public housing tenants heeded a call by pro-democracy protesters not to cooperate with the government by waiting until the last day of the...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55757

Civic Party highlights CY's abysmal record

Members of the Civic Party took to the streets on Wednesday to highlight what they said was Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's abysmal record over the ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55756

Russia regrets UN failure to adopt Palestinian resolution

Russia expressed regret at the failure of the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on Palestinian statehood, describing it as a "strategic erro...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55755

Baby gorilla makes public debut at San Diego Zoo

The public is getting its first glimpse of a four-day-old baby gorilla at the San Diego Zoo. The still-unnamed male was born December 26 to mother ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55754

(NBA) Warriors rout Sixers

Marreese Speights scored 23 points, Stephen Curry added 13 points and nine assists, and Golden State beat Philadelphia 126-86. Draymond Green had 1...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55753

(NBA) Conley leads Grizzles past Spurs

Mike Conley had 30 points and six assists, and Marc Gasol added 17 points to help Memphis defeat San Antonio. 95-87 Conley connected on 10 of 13 fr...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55752

(NBA) Lakers hold off Nuggets behind Bryant's triple-double

Kobe Bryant had 23 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds for his 21st career triple-double, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Denver Nuggets 111-10...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55751

(NBA) Irving nets 35 in return but Cavs lose in Atlanta

Australian star Kyrie Irving scored 35 points in his NBA return from a bruised left knee but the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing without LeBron James, ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55750

Police accused of creating 'White Terror'

Members of the Democratic Party on Wednesday accused the police of creating an atmosphere of "White Terror" by detaining a 14-year-old girl for scribb...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55749

ATV cuts some news programs

Asia Television, or ATV, said it will cut hourly news bulletins, morning news programs, Putonghua news broadcasts and all news bulletins on Asia Chann...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55748

Australia bans commercial sunbeds over cancer fears

Most Australian states and territories are set to ban commercial sunbeds from Thursday, in a crackdown on artificial tanning in a country that has o...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55747

China Southern drops in Shanghai after Communist Party probe sees two bosses sacked

China Southern Airline’s share price dropped in Shanghai on Wednesday morning after the sudden removal of two senior executives after a month-long investigation of the state-owned carrier by Communist Party graft busters.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1671670/china-southern-drops-shanghai-after-communist-party-probe-sees

Gas explosion kills 17 in Foshan

A gas explosion at an auto parts factory killed 17 people and injured 20 Wednesday morning in the southern city of Foshan, Chinese officials said. Di...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55746

Police to ensure roads are not re-occupied

The police said they are going to deploy thousands of officers across Hong Kong on Wednesday night, not only to maintain order as crowds gather to bri...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55745

South Korean to drop Sony film in North by balloon

A South Korean activist says he will launch balloons carrying DVDs of Sony's "The Interview'' toward North Korea to try to break down a personality cu...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55744

KAL chief's daughter apologises for 'revenge' message

The second daughter of Korean Air's CEO apologized Wednesday for swearing "revenge'' in a text message to her sister, who has been arrested for delayi...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55743

Hang Seng ends year on a high

Hong Kong stocks ended 2014 on a high, adding 0.44 percent Wednesday, helping the Hang Seng Index to eke out a small gain for the year. The benchma...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55742

15,000 chickens culled amid bird flu alert

Hong Kong began culling thousands of chickens Wednesday after the deadly H7N9 virus was discovered in poultry imported from China, days after the ci...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55741

Police kill man who threatened US authorities

A man who threatened on social media to kill police was shot dead by them near Philadelphia on Tuesday when he tried to run them down in his car, po...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55740

Deal with union not a collective agreement: Swire

Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong said the agreement signed with the Swire Beverages Employees General Union on October 17, 2014 is not a collective bargainin...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55739

2-year-old accidentally kills his mom in US Wal-Mart

A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his mother after he reached into her purse at a northern Idaho Wal-Mart and her concealed gun fired, aut...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55738

Philippines has hard act to follow as Apec chairman but comes prepared

As Laura del Rosario, the Philippines senior official responsible for Apec chairmanship in 2015, laid plans for the year ahead, she chose Legazpi in Albay as the perfect setting for an inaugural meeting – what we call the informal senior officials meeting (iSOM) in early

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1671638/philippines-has-hard-act-follow-apec-chairman-comes-prepared

Pace of Fed rate rises the key to US stock prospects

Strong growth, cheap energy and some forced generosity from the US Federal Reserve due to falling inflation all imply a strong first half of 2015 for American financial markets.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1671631/pace-fed-rate-rises-key-us-stock-prospects

Official: 6 bodies recovered from AirAsia crash

Indonesia's Search and Rescue chief says six bodies lost in the AirAsia crash have so far been recovered from the Java Sea, including a woman wearing ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55737

Eight killed in Canada 'senseless mass murder'

Police investigated Tuesday the "senseless mass murder'' of six adults and two children in western Canada who were apparently slain by a depressed m...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55736

Business wishes for the new year

New Year’s Day has a ring to it, not least because it provides an excuse to trundle out one of those lists containing hopes and wishes for developments in the business world over the coming year.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1671622/business-wishes-new-year

China to give parents of wrongfully executed man 2m yuan

A Chinese court will give the parents of a teenager wrongfully executed for murder and rape 18 years ago more than two million yuan compensation, it...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55735

Cars buried in salt after Morton storage collapse

A wall at a Morton Salt storage facility has collapsed, burying several cars at a next door auto dealership in road salt. Company spokeswoman Denise ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55734

China imposes record fine in water pollution case

A court in eastern China has issued the country's biggest environmental fine resulting from public interest litigation against polluters as China trie...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55733

China rail firms' stocks surge after merger confirmed

Shares in China's top two train makers surged on Wednesday after they confirmed a merger to create a "world-leading'' rail supplier expected to comp...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55732

Small earthquake shakes area south of Los Angeles

A magnitude-3.9 earthquake shook an area south of Los Angeles on Tuesday, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. T...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55731

Bad weather halts recovery of bodies from AirAsia flight

Stormy weather Wednesday forced Indonesian rescuers to suspend their search for the bodies of those on AirAsia's Flight QZ8501, which plunged into t...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55730

Mainland China factory activity shrinks as new orders decline

Activity in the mainland’s factory sector shrank for the first time in seven months this month, a private survey showed on Wednesday, highlighting the urgency behind a series of surprise easing moves by Beijing in the past two months.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1671617/mainland-china-factory-activity-shrinks-new-orders-decline

China December manufacturing index at 49.6: HSBC

China's manufacturing activity contracted in December, HSBC's closely watched purchasing managers' index (PMI) showed Wednesday, as the world's seco...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55729

Mass chicken cull over bird flu fears

Government officers are preparing to cull all of the 15,000 or so chickens at the poultry wholesale market in Cheung Sha Wan, after some birds importe...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55728

China's top 2 makers of bullet trains merge

China's two biggest manufacturers of bullet trains have merged in hopes of creating a globally competitive producer. CNR Corp. and CSR Corp., both ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55727

Developer Sunac to buy joint venture stakes from Greentown for 15.5 billion yuan

Mainland developer Sunac China has agreed to pay 15.5 billion yuan (HK$19.3 billion), including 4.2 billion in debt, within three months for the stakes it does not own in two 50:50 joint ventures with Greentown China, in a final move to part from its former close working

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1671615/developer-sunac-buy-joint-venture-stakes-greentown-155-billion

Former liquidator’s account of Carrian scandal brings key personalities to life

In the early eighties, before Enron and Worldcom, before financial sector sleaze and mismanagement destroyed whole economies, people were more trusting of business – until the arrival of the Carrian Group, which perpetrated the largest fraud of its time.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1671612/former-liquidators-account-carrian-scandal-brings-key-personalities-life

Autopsy shows US police shot black man in back

An unarmed black man killed by Los Angeles police officers was shot three times, including once in the back at close range, according to his autopsy r...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55705

Import of poultry meat, products banned from Yamaguchi

Due to the announcement made by the Japanese authorities about an outbreak of H5 avian influenza in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, the Center for Food S...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55704

Bird flu case reported in Shenzhen

The Center for Health Protection said it is closely monitoring an additional human case of H7N9 avian flu in Shenzhen notified by the Health and Famil...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55703

(NBA) Wizards survive Rocket's late rally

Bradley Beal scored 33 points and Paul Pierce added 21, and Washington survived a furious fourth-quarter charge by Houston to beat the Rockets 104-103...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55702

(NBA) Bucks beat Hornets in extra period

Brandon Knight scored 18 points, including a layup to force overtime, and Milwaukee pulled away to beat Charlotte 104-94. Jared Dudley scored 17 po...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55701

(NBA) Miami suffer home loss to Orlando

Nikola Vucevic scored 26 points, Victor Oladipo scored seven of his 22 in the final minutes and Orlando beat Miami 102-101. Oladipo had a layup to ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55700

(NBA) Griffin leads Clippers past Jazz

Blake Griffin scored 24 points and Los Angeles beat Utah 101-97 for its 12th straight victory over the Jazz, breaking the franchise record for consecu...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55699

(NBA) Brooklyn hand Sacramento another loss

Mason Plumlee continued his impressive play with a team-high 22 points, Joe Johnson and Jarret Jack each scored 16, and the Brooklyn Nets held on to b...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55698

Taiwan indicts two businessmen in latest food scandal

Two Taiwanese businessmen have been charged with using banned industrial dyes to adulterate food products, a case which prompted mass recalls in the...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55697

Debris is 'from AirAsia plane': Indonesian civil aviation chief

Debris spotted Tuesday during an aerial search for AirAsia flight QZ8501 is from the missing plane, Indonesia's director general of civil aviation t...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55696

Businessman jailed for 13 years over tiger feast

A Chinese businessman who bought and ate three tigers has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, state media reported Tuesday. The wealthy real estat...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55695

Top Bangladesh Islamist sentenced to hang for war crimes

Bangladesh's war crimes court Tuesday sentenced a leading Islamist to death for rape, mass murder and genocide during the country's 1971 independenc...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55694

Oil trades near five-year low

Oil prices traded near five-year lows in thin year-end trade Tuesday, as analysts predicted further bearishness in the market owing to rising US pro...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55693

Militants torch schools as Pakistan extends winter vacations

Militants set fire to two primary schools in Pakistan's troubled northwest on Tuesday as authorities extended winter holidays amid threats of attac...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55692

Items resembling plane door, slide seen in AirAsia search

Indonesian aerial searchers Tuesday spotted items resembling an emergency slide and plane door in the sea as they hunted for traces of an AirAsia pa...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55691

Top Russia opposition leader Navalny gets 3.5-year suspended sentence

A Russian court on Tuesday handed a 3.5-year suspended sentence to top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in his controversial fraud trial, after abruptl...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55690

Road closures expected for New Year's Eve

The Transport Department reminded the public to take note of the special traffic and transport arrangements to be implemented on New Year's Eve to fac...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55689

Ma Ying-jeou files defamation suits against radio host

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou on Tuesday filed defamation lawsuits against a radio host for alleging that he accepted illicit political donations ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55688

'AIDS demolition team' report roils netizens

A property developer in China reportedly hired a group of people with HIV to harass residents into leaving their homes, sparking anger from the countr...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55687

Japan orders slaughter of 37,000 chickens in bird flu outbreak

Japan on Tuesday ordered the slaughter of some 37,000 chickens as officials announced the third bird flu outbreak in less than a month and pledged "...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55686

Documentary maker jailed: lawyer

A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced a film director who made a documentary about constitutionalism to one year in prison for "illegal business acti...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55685

Japan's ruling parties agree to cut corporate taxes

Japan's ruling coalition agreed on Tuesday to cut the corporate tax rate, one of the world's highest, as a key part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's b...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55684

Nikkei ends 7.1% higher in 2014

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 closed at its highest levels since 2007 on Tuesday, with the benchmark index rising 7.12 percent in 2014. The index ended at 17,45...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55683

Psychotic patients still being discriminated

A survey has found that despite an improvement in people's knowledge about psychosis, psychotic patients were still being discriminated. Researchers ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55682

Travelers to mainland advised of bird flu risks

The Academy of Pharmacy on Tuesday called on members of the public traveling to the mainland over the New Year period to be aware of the risk of contr...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55681

Traffic disrupted on Gloucester Road

Traffic on the eastbound carriageway of Gloucester Road in Wanchai was disrupted on Tuesday after a man threatened to jump from the top of a footbridg...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55680

China expects inflation at 1.4% in Decemeber

China's consumer price index (CPI), the main gauge of inflation, is estimated to grow by about 1.4 percent in December from a year earlier, the latest...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55679

State media blames Google over Gmail blocking

Internet giant Google's unwillingness to obey Chinese law is to blame for the shutdown of its hugely popular email service, state-run media said Tue...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55678

2 gunmen open fire on Los Angeles police car

Two men opened fire on a police car patrolling a tough part of Los Angeles, but the two officers inside were not injured and one was able to shoot bac...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55677

CCF to provide one-off subsidy to low-income households

The Commission on Poverty has endorsed to relaunch the assistance program under the Community Care Fund (CCF) to provide a one-off living subsidy fo...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55676

Senior ATV journalist decides to quit

A senior journalist at Asia Television (ATV), Law Pui-king, said on Tuesday that she will quit on New Year's Day despite pleas from her colleagues not...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55675

Man in coma after attack

A 64-year-old man is in a critical condition after he was assaulted by a fellow bus passenger in Tseung Kwan O on Tuesday. The police said the victim...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55674

Thai theater pair plead guilty to insulting monarchy

Two activists charged with insulting Thailand's monarchy because of a play they produced pleaded guilty to the offense, which carries a punishment of ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55673

Hang Seng down at midday

Hong Kong stocks slipped 0.93 percent on profit-taking Tuesday and following a mixed lead from Wall Street while investors wind down before the end ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55672

Hong Kong’s soul is Central but remote

The day before Christmas I spent an afternoon walking around Central. It was busier than ever.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670673/hong-kongs-soul-central-remote

New Year's card sheep completes knitting scarf

When millions of Japanese get their customary New Year's greeting cards Monday, the sheep that's on the postage stamps will have finished knitting the...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55671

(NBA) Bulls beat Pacers for seventh straight win

Jimmy Butler scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds and the Chicago Bulls held off a late rally to beat Indiana 92-90 Monday for their seventh c...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55670

Python devours wallaby in giant meal: Australian ranger

An Australian ranger has captured the moment a python swallowed a wallaby at a national park in a giant feast that could keep it full for three months...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55669

Ten dead after ferry catches fire in Adriatic

The death toll from a ferry fire in the Adriatic rose to 10 on Monday as the search for survivors went on into the night in seas off Albania. It wa...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55668

US sends warship as Indonesia expands search for AirAsia plane

A US warship Tuesday joined an expanded search for an AirAsia passenger plane missing off Indonesia as the pilot's last words to air traffic control...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55667

ECB may roll out heavy artillery against deflation in 2015

After a breathless year of action and now a new political crisis in Greece, the European Central Bank may finally roll out its heavy artillery in 20...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55666

SKorea posts record current account surplus in November

South Korea's current account surplus rose to a monthly record in November as slumping oil prices slashed the value of imports, state data showed Tu...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55665

Nikkei down by break

Tokyo stocks lost 0.68 percent on Tuesday morning in the final day of trading for 2014, with a mixed lead from Wall Street and political turmoil in ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55664

(Premier League) Liverpool trash Swansea behind Lallana's brace

Adam Lallana, pictured, fired Liverpool to their biggest home win of the season as the England midfielder's brace inspired a 4-1 rout of Swansea on Mo...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55663

(Premier League) Newcastle boss Pardew set for Palace job

Alan Pardew is set to quit Newcastle United and take over as the new manager of Crystal Palace after being granted permission to speak to his former...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55662

14 injured as minibuses crash

At least 14 people have been injured in a collision between two minibuses in Sau Mau Ping. The crash happened on Hong Ning Road outside the police sta...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55661

(Premier League) West Brom sack manager Irvine

English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on Monday announced they had sacked manager Alan Irvine following their defeat to Stoke on Sunday, ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55660

Kerry Logistics pays US$32 million for 70pc stake in Middle East operation

Kerry Logistics is acquiring a Dubai-based logistics company for US$32 million in order to expand its business in the Middle East.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670663/kerry-logistics-pays-us32-million-70pc-stake-middle-east

Greentown and Wharf team up for Hangzhou residential project

Mainland developer Greentown China said on Tuesday it will develop a new residential project in Hangzhou with Hong Kong’s Wharf (Holdings) after jointly winning a piece of land for 480.5 million yuan (HK$600.1 million).

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670660/greentown-and-wharf-team-hangzhou-residential-project

Market reforms could increase fraud at banks, Thatcher warned in 1986

Margaret Thatcher was warned in 1986 that the “Big Bang” plan to liberalise the British stock market might lead to an increase in fraud, internal government papers published this week show.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/1670653/market-reforms-could-increase-fraud-banks-thatcher-warned

1st big group of victims of Greek ferry fire arrives in Bari

A cargo ship with 49 survivors of a Greek ferry that caught fire in the Adriatic Sea has arrived in the Italian port of Bari, the first big group of v...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55641

AirAsia plane has tire problem in Philippines

An AirAsia Zest plane with 184 people on board developed a tire problem in the central Philippine city of Tagbilaran, prompting the airline, which is ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55640

HK resident on board missing AirAsia plane

The Immigration Department has confirmed that there was a Hong Kong resident on board the AirAsia plane which disappeared from radar screens while fly...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55639

10 killed as Beijing scaffold collapses

Ten people were killed and four were injured following a scaffold collapse in a Beijing school Monday morning, local sources said. The accident happe...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55638

Man dies from suspected shark attack in west Australia

A man has died in a suspected shark attack in western Australia Monday, police said, in what would be the country's second such fatality this month. ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55637

Pan-democrat could become CE candidate: scholar

A pro-Beijing legal scholar, Albert Chen Hung-yee, said on Monday that he believed a pan-democrat could be approved by the future nominating committee...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55636

400,000 expected for New Year celebration

Police said on Monday that they are expecting nearly 400,000 revelers to celebrate the New Year on both sides of the harbor on Wednesday evening and T...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55635

Widely-hailed AirAsia boss facing first major crisis

Tony Fernandes has been hailed for transforming AirAsia from a floundering carrier into the region's largest budget airline, but now faces his bigge...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55634

Govt may take stricter stance on reform

A political analyst has warned that the Hong Kong government may take a stricter stance on political reform and dissent in 2015. Baptist University P...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55633

Avian flu death reported as 2014 toll rises

A man has died from the H7N9 bird flu strain in eastern China, state media reported Monday, at the end of a year in which cases of the virus have ac...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55632

Nikkei ends lower

Tokyo stocks reversed course to finish 0.50 percent lower on Monday, losing early gains that were driven by a weaker yen and another record close on...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55631

Officials dismissed over diseased meat scandal

China has dismissed eight officials after pork from pigs infected with a "highly contagious virus'' was found to have entered the market, state medi...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55630

AirAsia plane probably crashed into the sea

A senior official at Indonesia's rescue agency has suggested that the AirAsia passenger plane that vanished on Sunday crashed into the sea, going by i...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55629

Pro-democracy banner removed from Lion Rock

The government on Monday removed a pro-democracy banner that was hung from Lion Rock in Kowloon. The yellow banner with an umbrella logo on it -- a s...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55628

Hang Seng up by break

Hong Kong stocks climbed 1.89 percent in the morning session Monday, boosted by fresh economy-boosting measures by China and another record close on...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55627

Chinese oil producers’ shares rise on tax relief

Mainland oil producer shares rose on Monday morning after the central government announced it would raise the threshold for a tax on oil sales revenues, reducing the financial burden on producers who have seen profits squeezed by sharp falls in crude oil prices since June

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670402/chinese-oil-producers-shares-rise-tax-relief

(NBA) Duncan, Green spark injury-hit Spurs over Rockets

Danny Green scored 24 points while Tim Duncan scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lift injury-hit reigning NBA champion San Antonio over ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55626

Indonesia transport minister says will review AirAsia operations

Indonesia's transport minister said Monday the government would review AirAsia's operations in the Southeast Asian country following the disappearan...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55625

South Korea proposes inter-Korea talks next month

A top South Korean official offered Monday to hold high-level talks with North Korea in January, as Pyongyang battles growing pressure over human ri...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55624

ATV to pay staff half of November wages

Asia Television is set to pay its staff 50 percent of their November wages today, ATV executive director Ip Ka-po said. He thanked staff for their pr...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55623

ATV staff to meet newly-appointed managers

Staff from Asia Television, who have yet to be paid their November wages, will meet the station's newly-appointed managers from Deloitte China on Mond...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55622

Another yellow banner at Lion Rock

Another yellow pro-democracy banner has been hung from Lion Rock. On Sunday, firemen removed a giant pro-democracy banner hung from a steep slope at D...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55621

(Premier League) ManU settle for a draw

Manchester United's efforts to force their way into the Premier League title race faltered as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur. An...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55620

(Premier League) Man City fail to close gap after draw with Burnley

Manchester City threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at home to struggling Burnley on Sunday, squandering the chance to close the gap on leader Chelsea t...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55619

Global banker witch hunt hurts economic recovery

Bankers facing a barrage of new capital requirements, regulations and investigations must feel as if they are targets of a witch hunt.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670395/global-banker-witch-hunt-hurts-economic-recovery

Final Greek presidential vote as fresh crisis looms

Greece's parliament will try to elect a president on Monday in a last-ditch bid to avoid snap general elections that could bring the hard-left to po...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55618

Shares of troubled developer Kaisa suspended from trading

Embattled mainland developer Kaisa Group said on Monday its shares had been suspended from trading pending the release of an announcement containing inside information.

The announcement followed the resignation of two senior executives on Sunday.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670393/shares-troubled-developer-kaisa-suspended-trading

(NBA) Pistons rout Irving-less Cavs as LeBron struggles

LeBron James suffered a poor shooting performance and Kyrie Irving remained sidelined by a bruised knee as the Cleveland Cavaliers were routed 103-80 ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55617

West Island line operating smoothly: MTR

The MTR Corporation says, apart from a few minor glitches, the new West Island line has been operating smoothly since opening on Sunday. Monday mornin...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55616

AirAsia shares slump in Malaysia after jet disappears

Shares in AirAsia, Southeast Asia's biggest budget airline, lost more than seven percent in morning trading on Monday in Kuala Lumpur after one of i...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55615

Nikkei up by break

Tokyo stocks rose 0.18 percent Monday morning, supported by a weaker yen and following another record close on Wall Street driven by optimism over t...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55614

Preventing mere mortals from interfering with a great visionary’s leadership

Mainland online retailer Dangdang enjoyed a smashing debut on the New York stock exchange just over four years ago, rising nearly 90 per cent above the US$16 IPO price.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670390/preventing-mere-mortals-interfering-great-visionarys-leadership

Gemdale Properties selling 28pc stake for HK$1.82 billion

Gemdale Properties will issue 28 per cent of its enlarged share capital to two investors for HK$1.82 billion, or 52 cents per share, to finance existing projects, the Hong Kong-listed developer said on Sunday.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670386/gemdale-properties-selling-28pc-stake-hk182-billion

Mainland China developer Sunac receives HK$6.2 billion as Greentown deal ends

Mainland developer Sunac China announced on Monday that HK$6.2 billion yuan had now been returned to it, terminating the year’s largest property acquisition.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670380/mainland-china-developer-sunac-receives-hk62-billion-greentown

China's crude oil contracts seen boosting Shanghai Free Trade Zone

The authorities are looking to a "golden era" for the mainland commodity futures market, with the launch next year of crude oil contracts at the heart of Beijing's quest to gain pricing power over major commodities.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/1670355/chinas-crude-oil-contracts-seen-boosting-shanghai-free-trade

HTC eyes market with periscope camera

HTC Corp, a smartphone maker hobbled by declining world market share and thin profits, will find a niche following in Asia with a periscope-like camera that bypasses the need for a camera app icon on smart devices, analysts say.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670297/htc-eyes-market-periscope-camera

Russia is new target for China's e-commerce platforms despite rouble crisis

Russia is becoming the most popular destination for China's cross-border e-commerce platforms, which have shrugged off the impact of the rouble crisis on their business.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1670294/russia-new-target-chinas-e-commerce-platforms-despite-rouble

Quick profits elude PE investors in capital-intensive shipping industry

Private equity investors who pride themselves on a knack for corporate turnarounds followed by profitable exits have met their match in the shipping industry.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1670354/quick-profits-elude-pe-investors-capital-intensive-shipping

China's traditional lenders meet their match in internet banking

Mainland banks are without doubt perturbed about the technology companies that have pushed into the financial sector.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/1670292/chinas-traditional-lenders-meet-their-match-internet

China central bank research chief defends monetary policy

The mainland's current monetary policy is appropriate, the head of the People's Bank of China research unit said, while adding that liquidity management is increasingly important in the face of high funding costs.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1670353/china-central-bank-research-chief-defends-monetary-policy

Citic Securities to issue 1.5 billion new shares to boost capital

The mainland’s biggest stock brokerage, Citic Securities, said it plans a new public issue of up to 1.5 billion Hong Kong-listed H shares to supplement capital to help expand businesses including margin trading.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1670377/citic-securities-issue-15-billion-new-shares-boost-capital

China's Nicaraguan canal project wise to learn lessons from Panama canal

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal - also known as the world's greatest shortcut - connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1670311/chinas-nicaraguan-canal-project-wise-learn-lessons-panama

Buying hits record as directors rush to support stock prices

Buying among directors was high for a second week while selling surged, based on filings to the exchange during the holiday-shortened week of December 22 to 24.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/money/markets-investing/article/1670343/buying-hits-record-directors-rush-support-stock

Oil crash surprise poses 2015 dangers just as market was looking less risky

Good judgment comes from experience. And a lot of that comes from bad judgment. The financial markets have perplexed everyone, most of all investment professionals who are paid to make sense of it.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/1670306/oil-crash-surprise-poses-2015-dangers-just-market-was-looking

Chart of the day: Personal spending and the Fed

Real disposable income in the United States rose 0.5 per cent in November after a 0.3 per cent gain in October, while real growth in personal consumption expenditure was up 0.7 per cent.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/money/markets-investing/article/1670341/chart-day-personal-spending-and-fed

China likely to miss trade and investment targets

The mainland looks set to miss its five-year targets for the first time in decades as policymakers switch their focus to quality rather than the pace of growth for the world's second-largest economy.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670339/china-likely-miss-trade-and-investment-targets

More Chinese exporters leveragee-commerce to build global empires

In a low-rise building in Quanzhou, a small coastal city in Fujian province, e-commerce entrepreneur Lin Shile is swapping ideas with his senior managers on how to expand his fashion business into Russia.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670340/more-chinese-exporters-leveragee-commerce-build-global-empires

Expanded technology tariff deal may complete in early 2015

Hopes have been raised that a deal expanding the range of tariff-free information and communications technology products may be completed in the first quarter of next year.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670335/expanded-technology-tariff-deal-may-complete-early-2015

Weak rouble prompts more Russian interest in China, Hong Kong

The weak rouble has prompted more Russian banks and companies to explore opportunities in mainland China and Hong Kong while co-operation at the state level continues to strengthen.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670336/weak-rouble-prompts-more-russian-interest-china-hong-kong

Cross-border schemes key to China easing capital controls

A hoped-for expansion in the number of cross-border trading schemes with the mainland is likely to serve as the springboard for a further easing in capital controls by Beijing next year.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1670345/cross-border-schemes-key-china-easing-capital-controls

Beijing's policy on balance of payments resembles bank robbery

I think there is a subtext here. There often is in these official Beijing pronouncements. In this case it reads, "Ouch. Money is too tight because our balance of payments surplus is too big."

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1669451/beijings-policy-balance-payments-resembles-bank-robbery

Japan unleashes massive stimulus plan for growth

Japan's cabinet approved 3.5 trillion yen (HK$225 billion) in fresh stimulus for the ailing economy, pledging to get growth back on track and restore the country's precarious public finances.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1669501/japan-unleashes-massive-stimulus-plan-growth

Birmingham City FC holding company halts trading over ex-CEO's online comments

Trading in Hong Kong-listed Birmingham International Holdings was halted this month because of online comments made by the club's then-director Peter Pannu, the parent company disclosed last week.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1669479/birmingham-city-fc-holding-company-halts-trading-over-ex-ceos-online

China’s central bank mulls easing liquidity requirements at lenders

The People's Bank of China is weighing up whether to change rules governing how loan-to-deposit ratios are calculated at banks, a move that would boost liquidity conditions, banking-sector sources said.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1Ercvez

UBS flags China's US$1tr debt risk

UBS is flagging risks from the mainland's US$1 trillion worth of unhedged foreign debt as forecasters see bets against the greenback unwinding next year.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1vhBpTn

Japan's annual core consumer inflation slows for fourth month

Japanese annual core consumer inflation slowed for a fourth consecutive month in November due largely to sliding oil prices, highlighting the challenges the central bank faces in achieving its 2 per cent inflation target.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1vhBnuR

Greentown shares soar on sale of 24.29pc stake to state-owned CCCG

Shares of mainland developer Greentown China soared on Wednesday by the most in two-and-a-half years after it announced it was selling a 24.288 per cent stake to a state-owned construction firm for HK$6.01 billion.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1Ercuax

Bank of America fired HK banker to avoid paying bonus, judge rules

Bank of America maliciously fired a distressed-debt banker to deprive her of a bonus, a Hong Kong judge ruled, awarding Sunny Tadjudin US$500,000 after a seven-year legal battle.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1vhBpCR

Copper bounce may be sign of medium-term lows

Copper sentiment has bounced off the lowest levels since April, rising for the first time in four weeks, with the Marex Spectron Global Copper Sentiment Index standing at minus 46.2, an increase of 3.8 points on the week.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/13K8XmQ

Hong Kong home prices hit record, outlook cloudy pending rate rise

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1BbUuuT

China's central bank mulls easing liquidity requirements for lenders

The People's Bank of China is weighing up whether to change rules governing how loan-to-deposit ratios are calculated at banks, a move that would boost liquidity conditions, banking-sector sources said.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1Ep85ou

China cuts red tape for outbound direct investment

Beijing's latest move to simplify foreign exchange rules, along with a raft of measures designed to help mainland firms raise funds in international markets, will spur more outbound investment and give a boost to its Silk Road strategy, experts say.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1vwa2WR

China to beat energy intensity target in 2014 - Xinhua

China is on track to surpass its 2014 target for reducing the energy intensity of its economy, the country’s top climate change official said this week, according to state news agency Xinhua.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1JSGNY3

China stocks close up over 3 pct on financial revival

China stocks closed higher on Thursday as investors waded back into financial shares after selling off for three days.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1B7Vtfx

Chinese police kill 'religious extremist'

Authorities in the southwestern province of Guangxi say police shot one person dead and detained 21 others when they confronted "religious extremists'...



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US court dismisses immigration lawsuit against Obama

A US federal judge handed a victory to President Barack Obama late Tuesday, throwing out a lawsuit over controversial actions he took last month shi...



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Uber founder Kalanick charged in SKorea

South Korean prosecutors brought charges Wednesday against the US founder and CEO of smartphone cab service Uber and his Korean partner for operatin...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1wjxYMa

Ex-porn actor in Canada found guilty in Chinese student's murder

A jury in Montreal found a one-time porn actor guilty Tuesday in the murder of a Chinese engineering student with a screwdriver before sexually abus...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1wEmiZD

Arrest warrant sought for SKorea 'nut rage' heiress

South Korean prosecutors applied Wednesday for an arrest warrant for Korean Air heiress Cho Hyun-Ah, who delayed a flight with a tantrum over snacks...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1wEmjwK

'Occupy hotel' recreates protest camp for guests

Hong Kong's pro-democracy protest camps may have been swept away but one man has recreated a rally site as an Occupy hotel -- where guests now pay to...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/16PphVl

White knight' needed to save ATV

Accountants appointed by the High Court to the board of Asia Television (ATV) said on Wednesday that they were looking for a "white knight" to save th...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/13vcfdx

Nikkei finishes higher

Tokyo stocks closed 1.24 percent higher on Wednesday, boosted by record-setting gains on Wall Street and a weak yen in thin post-holiday trade. The...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1xKrug9

China highways bleeding money despite high tolls: state media

China is losing more than US$10 billion a year from its expressways, state media reported Wednesday, despite levying hefty tolls on the world's large...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1x2B1xu

Hang Seng ends flat

Hong Kong stocks ended a holiday-shortened session flat on Wednesday, treading water in thin trade despite a rally in Asian markets fueled by upbeat U...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1x2AYBC

ATV hopeful of paying staff wages

The Executive Director of Asia Television's, Ip Ka-po, on Wednesday expressed the hope that one of the station's shareholders -- Taiwanese snack tycoo...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1CFWmgG

North Ireland parties break deadlock with wide-ranging deal

Rival parties in Northern Ireland finally reached agreement Tuesday over government reforms and dealing with the province's violent past, after mont...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1AGLIqL

Former US president George Bush, 90, in hospital: spokesman

Former US president George H. W. Bush, 90, has been admitted to a Texas hospital suffering shortness of breath, a family spokesman said Tuesday. "P...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1AGLGPD

Volunteer mourners give unclaimed dead final send-off

A hearse winds its way slowly through Benfica cemetery in Lisbon, followed by four people walking in silence through the December drizzle. The mour...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1AGLHTL

(NBA) Rose leads Bulls over Wizards

Derrick Rose scored 25 points and the Chicago Bulls stretched their win streak to four games with a 99-91 victory Tuesday at Washington. Rose, the ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1zgIW7f

Nikkei jumps by break

Tokyo stocks rose 1.13 percent on Wednesday morning, boosted by record-setting gains on Wall Street and a weak yen in thin post-holiday trade. The ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1x2lMVb

European rock ants lean left, study finds

European rock ants at a crossroads will most often turn left, a group trait that may boost survival, a study said Wednesday. Many creatures, includi...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1vlQkgk

Tornado hits Mississippi, four dead, emergency declared

At least four people were killed in the southeastern US state of Mississippi on Tuesday after a tornado tore through the region, officials said. Mi...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1wDPxMh

Japan PM set for re-election after 'Abenomics' poll win

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to resume office on Wednesday with a broadly similar cabinet tasked with re-igniting the world's number th...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1vlQioV

Gucci to step up supplier checks after TV exploitation charges

Italian fashion house Gucci said it would strengthen controls on its suppliers after a television programme showed Chinese employees in Italy working more than three times their official hours to assemble its handbags.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/16OL3bX

Mongolian coal mine deal seen boosting economic recovery

A group comprising Mongolia's Energy Resources, China Shenhua Energy and Sumitomo have won the right to develop one of Mongolia's largest metallurgical-coal deposits, beating a bid from US miner Peabody Energy.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/16OL1AA

Goldman Sachs sells metals warehouse unit

Goldman Sachs has sold a metals warehouse unit it acquired in 2010 to Reuben Brothers after the business attracted congressional scrutiny in the United States.

Terms were not disclosed by the New York-based bank when it announced the deal on Monday.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1GVyx6Y

China challenges IMF with rouble swap

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/16OL1k9

China's growing shadow banking sector adapts as rules tighten

New players in China's shadow banking sector are growing rapidly despite attempts to clamp down on opaque lending, taking advantage of a regulatory anomaly to prosper but also raising the risks of a build-up of debt in the slowing economy.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/16OL2Va

Seven Chinese banks drop plans to list publicly

Mainland Chinese banks are dropping like flies from the long queue for public listing that has built up behind the country's slow-moving securities regulator.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1GVywAf

IPO bankers take well-earned rest after bumper year

Bankers responsible for floating companies and selling new shares into the market will enjoy a well-earned rest this Christmas after their busiest year since 2007, having notched up business worth almost US$865 billion in the past 12 months.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1GVyxnA

China's JDB plans global push for its popular herbal tea drink

The benefits of herbal tea to relieve inflammation may be little known overseas, but JDB Group is intent on changing that.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/16OL2EF

Chart of the day: Platinum prepares

Spot platinum has consolidated quietly in a right-angled triangle chart pattern in the fourth quarter, even as the US dollar has seen big swings, especially against some emerging market currencies.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1zvyqhQ

US growth fastest in more than a decade at 5pc

The world's largest economy surged in the third quarter, expanding at the fastest pace in more than a decade, as US consumers and businesses spent more than previously estimated.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1zvyqhB

Asia bond sales set to trump this year's record in 2015

Bond sales in Asia next year are expected to trump this year's record issuance as Chinese firms look abroad for acquisitions and funding, according to UBS.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/13CjnFa

China pressures Qualcomm to cut its patent fees amid anti-monopoly probe

China wants Qualcomm to accept lower royalty payments for technology used by its smartphone producers, people familiar with the matter said, a proposal that would hurt the chipmaker's main source of profit.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1zvypKF

Investors rush to cash in shares linked to Ling family

Shares of the seven listed firms linked to the family of Ling Jihua fell as probes into the top aide to former president Hu Jintao prompted investors to cash out amid fears of a further slide.

via South China Morning Post - Business feed http://ift.tt/1CE0HkD

Taiwan launches its largest ever missile ship

Taiwan on Tuesday launched its largest ever missile ship Tuesday as the island strives to modernise its armed forces in response to a perceived thre...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/13zYsCM

UK third quarter growth confirmed at 0.7%

British economic growth slowed to 0.7 percent in the third quarter of 2014 from the previous three months, official data showed Tuesday, in line wit...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1JNxAjD

CE extends duty to Beijing

The Chief Executive's two-day duty visit to Beijing over Christmas -- where political reform is expected to be a focus of discussions -- has been exte...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1AD57c3

House News website relaunched under new name

The popular "House News" website has been relaunched under a new name -- five months after one of its founders abruptly shut it down. Tony Choi Tung-...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1AD55ky

German business slams growing anti-Islam rallies

A powerful German business leader slammed a growing anti-Islam movement in the country Tuesday, saying Europe's top economy needed more immigration ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/16MdDdY

Greek MPs fail in second try to elect president

Greek MPs failed on Tuesday to elect a president in a second vote in parliament, bringing an early general election a step closer. The government c...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1AVfeHv

Glasgow mourns six killed by runaway lorry

Flags were flown at half mast above Scottish government buildings on Tuesday to remember six people killed when an out-of-control lorry ploughed int...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/13zNOMh

Taiwan fines Uber for illegal operation in latest setback

Taiwan has slapped a string of fines on app-based taxi service Uber for operating illegally, the latest blow to the US company which is embroiled in...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1t5CUtG

French PM calls for 'vigilance' after three attacks

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called Tuesday for ``vigilance'' after the country was hit by three bizarre attacks in quick succession, sparking...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1GSzehs

Hang Seng tracks Shanghai losses

Hong Kong stocks dropped 0.32 percent Tuesday after mainland Chinese shares slumped, as dealers said a recent run-up created room for a market corre...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1wgFJmg

European stock markets climb at open

European stock markets advanced at the start of trading on Tuesday as dealers eyed a record-breaking session on Wall Street and upcoming data, and s...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1zsko0n

International journalist deaths soar in 2014: press watchdog

The gruesome murders of foreign journalists by the Islamic State group contributed to 2014 being a particularly deadly year for international corres...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1sT4V1V

Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 81

Thousands flocked to Japan's Imperial Palace Tuesday to celebrate the 81st birthday of Emperor Akihito, who recalled the carnage of World War II and...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/1xGTtgC

DP outlines proposals ahead of policy address

The Democratic Party has made a call for Beijing to withdraw its framework on political reform its top proposal ahead of the chief executive's policy ...



via The Standard - Breaking News http://ift.tt/16LRKeG

Greek lawmakers to vote in second round for president

Lawmakers in Greece are to vote again on the country's new president, in an attempt to break an impasse that could bring down the conservative governm...



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(NBA) Warriors beat Kings, top league

Klay Thompson scored 25 points, Stephen Curry had 12 points and 11 assists, and Golden State eased past Sacramento 128-108. Festus Ezeli scored a c...



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(NBA) Harden lifts Rockets over Blazers with season-high scoring

James Harden scored a season-high 44 points to help Houston cruise past Portland 110-95 and snap a two-game skid. The Trail Blazers were without le...



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(NBA) Parker leads Spurs past Clippers

Tony Parker scored 26 points in his return from a five-game absence, igniting the San Antonio Spurs to a season-high 37 assists and a 125-118 victory ...



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(NBA) Red-hot Butler shines as Bulls stomp Raptors

Jimmy Butler continued his torrid scoring streak on Monday by tallying 27 points and 11 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls overpowered the first place To...



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World champion paddler Wang Hao retires

Chinese table tennis player Wang Hao announced his retirement in a dinner party last weekend. Wang, the 18-time world champion, failed to win an Olym...



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Former Chinese aluminum boss facing graft charges

The former boss of China's biggest aluminum producer has been expelled from the ruling Communist Party on corruption charges, the party announced Tues...



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Pro-Beijing group rally outside British Consulate

The pro-Beijing group, Voice of Loving Hong Kong, has staged a protest outside the British Consulate in Admiralty Tuesday, demanding the British gover...



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(SHKP trial) Be good, Kwok tells children

Former Sun Hung Kai Properties co-chairman Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong told his children to "be good'' after sentencing. ''We will be,'' they replied befo...



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Causes and consequences of more time and money

Many reports describe the Occupy Movement as a conflict between two generations: an older generation that is more materialistic and willing to compromise and a younger generation that is more idealistic and confrontational.

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Hoping for slower but higher quality growth in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific economies are limping to the finish line in 2014. Mainland China continues to be weighed down by its property sector. Japan has entered a technical recession.

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Hang Seng up by break

Hong Kong stocks climbed 0.15 percent by the break on Tuesday, tracking gains on Wall Street where indices reached fresh records ahead of the releas...



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(SHKP trial) Tycoon and ex-deputy leader jailed for graft

Hong Kong's former deputy leader Rafael Hui Si-yan and property tycoon Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong were jailed Tuesday after being convicted of corruption...



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(SHKP trial) Kwok, Chan ordered to pay legal fees

Justice Andrew Macrae has ordered former Sun Hung Kai Properties co-chairman Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong and executive director Thomas Chan Kui-yuen to pay...



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(SHKP trial) Rafael Hui jailed 7.5 years for bribery

Former Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, On Friday, he was found guilty by a High Court jury of accepting...



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Wanda Commercial makes trading debut in Hong Kong

Chinese shopping mall developer Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties made its trading debut in Hong Kong Tuesday after raising US$3.7 billion in a reco...



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Alstom agrees to pay US$772 million to US for bribing foreign officials

French power and transportation company Alstom has agreed to pay US$772 million in penalties to the US to resolve allegations that it bribed high-ranking government officials in multiple foreign countries for lucrative projects, the US Justice Department said Monday.

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(SHKP trial) Former exchange official sentenced to 5 years in jail

Former Hong Kong stock exchange official Francis Kwan Hung-sang has been sentenced to five years in jail. Kwan was on Friday convicted of conspiracy t...



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(SHKP trial) Executive director Chan sentenced to 6 years in jail

Sun Hung Kai Properties executive director Thomas Chan Kui-yuen has been sentenced to six years in jail. He has been also fined HK$500,000 and removed...



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NKorean websites back online after shutdown

Key North Korean websites are back online after an hours-long shutdown that comes amid heightened tensions with the US over Pyongyang's alleged hackin...



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Cheung Kong stake purchase sends Avic International shares soaring

Shares of Avic International Holding (HK), a Hong Kong unit of state-backed aviation equipment maker Aviation Industry Corporation of China, jumped as much as 43.5 per cent in morning trading on Tuesday on news that tycoon Li Ka-shing’s property-to-ports conglomerate Cheu

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(SHKP trial) Thomas Kwok gets 5 years in jail

Former Sun Hung Kai Properties co-chairman Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong was sentenced to 5 years in jail in the high profile graft case involving former Chi...



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Ten injured as attacker rams van into French Christmas market

A driver ploughed into a Christmas market in western France Monday, injuring 10 people before stabbing himself, a day after a similar attack in anot...



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Govt starts another round of HOS flat sales

Applications for Home Ownership Scheme flats are set to open late December. The Housing Authority started distributing forms at the sales center in Lo...



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Japan Post to go public in September: report

Japan Post Holdings and its banking and insurance units plan to debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in September next year, one of the nation's bigges...



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Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties shares flat on debut

Shares of Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties, which is controlled by mainland billionaire Wang Jianlin, opened slightly above the issue price of HK$48 on their market debut on Wednesday.

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Telstra buys submarine cable network operator Pacnet for US$697 million

Telstra, Australia’s biggest telecommunications company, is looking to expand its operations in China through its US$697 million acquisition of Pacnet, operator of Asia’s largest privately owned submarine cable network.

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Aluminium producer China Hongqiao in 1.9 billion yuan deal to boost capacity

China Hongqiao Group, one of the mainland’s largest aluminium producers, has announced a 1.9 billion yuan acquisition that would expand its production capacity by around 21 per cent and allow it to generate more of its own power.

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SIS International releases details of mobile phone unit spin-off

Information technology firm SIS International has unveiled details of its plan to spin off wholly owned mobile phone distribution unit SiS Mobile with a listing on Hong Kong’s main board.

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Chart of the day: Greenback's challenge

The US dollar is ending the year on a high note. This month's ASR-Extel year-ahead survey reveals that a net 73 per cent of respondents believe the trade-weighted US dollar will end next year at higher levels.

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China's stocks watchdog closes in on suspects in price rigging

The China Securities Regulatory Commission is looking into a number of institutions and individuals suspected of rigging the prices of 18 stocks and will intensify its crackdown on fraudulent practices.

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China's local debt problems create bond opportunities

The mainland's overhaul of local government financing spells opportunity for global investors next year.

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Time for Hong Kong's outdated trade promoter to call it a day

What a grand dream, Hong Kong as the commercial hub of Asia, helping German investors to take stakes in Malaysian property investments and Indonesian rag merchants to sell their garments to Canada.

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Angry over land seizures and pollution, Nicaraguans block roads as Chinese-led mega canal project kicks off

Groups of men blocked roads in Nicaragua to protest against a Chinese-financed interoceanic canal's ground-breaking ceremony last night.

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China's anti-graft officials could monitor assets of officials using new centralised real estate database

The central government yesterday issued new rules that stipulate full disclosure of real estate ownership, in a move to regulate opaque property investments and fight corruption.

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Why a US recovery is a cause for caution

Just how strong is the recovery in the US? That’s the question everyone’s asking as global growth slows and the US offers the only glimmer of hope among the major economies.

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