In other Asia-Pacific business news, the New York Times reported that Chinese regulators said Thursday that they had suspended the export licenses of more than 750 toy companies because of quality control problems, according to the state-controlled media.

The government said an additional 690 toy factories in southern China, the world�fs largest toy manufacturing region, had been ordered to renovate or improve their facilities.

The move was announced just days after American legislators moved to strengthen consumer protections and impose tougher penalties on companies that sell tainted or hazardous goods, including goods imported from China.

This year, European Union officials warned China that they would take strong action if it did not improve the quality and safety of the consumer goods it exports, particularly toys.

Toy industry officials in the United States hailed China�fs announcement.

"China is living up to its word to improve product quality and product safety,'" said Frank W. Clarke, a spokesman for the Toy Industry Association in New York, which represents some of the world�fs biggest toy makers. "This will be reassuring to consumers to see that China is taking action."

Chinese authorities said on Monday that 774 people have been arrested over the past two months as part of a clampdown on the production of fake drugs and substandard food.

The authorities also said 626 criminal cases had been opened as a result of the national campaign of inspections of food and drug manufacturers and restaurants launched in August.

The FT says that the murder of a man who jumped a petrol queue in China�fs central Henan province on Wednesday is the stuff of nightmares for the authoritarian Chinese government.

Faced with worsening fuel shortages across the country Beijing raised petrol, diesel and jet fuel prices at the pump by almost 10 per cent on Wednesday, in an effort to boost domestic supplies and exorcise the spectre of social unrest.

The policy reversal came as shortages spread to the capital, which is usually immune from the country�fs periodic supply crunches.

But the government is unwilling to allow prices to rise too much because of a morbid fear of spiralling inflation, which has a history of toppling governments in China and is currently running at a 10-year high, above 6 per cent.

In announcing the price increase the government said it would not allow rising fuel prices to be passed on to transport and other fuel-dependent industries but would provide direct subsidies to these sectors instead. Report

The FT reports that Indian companies are giving their staff the biggest salary increases in the world, according to a survey that is likely to fuel concerns over wage inflation in one of the fastest growing economies.

Indian employees are estimated to have received an average salary increase of 14 per cent this year. The rate is expected to be maintained in with 2008 settlements forecast to average 15 per cent. That compares with an anticipated annual inflation rate of 5.7 per cent this year and 5.4 per cent in 2008.

The survey covered more than 4,000 companies worldwide and was conducted over two months by Towers Perrin, a human resources advisory company.

The survey showed Indian salary rises virtually across the board, from executive to production floor, far outstripping those in China, the other powerhouse of the Asian economy.

Chinese employees are heading for salary increases of 8 per cent this year and 9 per cent in 2008, based on projected annual inflation of 3.6 per cent and 3.5 per cent.

The findings back growing evidence in India that management compensation there is now on a par with and sometimes higher than the global average, excluding the high-profile packages common in the US or UK. Report

An article in the Far Eastern Economic Review says that if Karl Marx was right that history repeats itself first as tragedy and then as farce, Burma is still stuck in the tragedy phase. The protests and crackdown in Rangoon in recent days are reprising the doomed democracy movement of 1988. As time passes and the security forces succeed in cowing the population, the world�fs outrage gives way to ineffectual responses and then resignation.

BusinessWeek Asia says that clean technology has become the third-largest destination for venture capital in China, with $420 million invested in 2006.

This summer, the government of the eastern city of Wuxi had to turn the taps off, cutting off water supplies to millions. The reason was that chemical factories had dumped too much untreated effluent into the city's main water source, Lake Tai, feeding a massive algae bloom that choked the water body. Report

BusinessWeek Asia also says that The World's Easiest Problem-Solving Class, written by a former McKinsey consultant, is a runaway success in the author's home country of Japan.

What do you get when you combine a guitar-playing eggplant with McKinsey-style reasoning? In Japan, a best-selling business book. Titled The World's Easiest Problem-Solving Class, it aims to teach consultant-style analysis to middle and high schoolers in a country where test-taking and rote memorization are second nature to kids at an early age. But since its June release the book has been snapped up by adults, rising as high as No. 2 on Amazon Japan, where it currently ranks No. 26 with 250,000 copies in print. Report

FINFACTS REPORTS THIS WEEK RELATED TO ASIA-PACIFIC

IT Pay around the World Survey 2007: Switzerland pays the highest salaries followed by Denmark, Belgium, UK and Ireland
Six of the world�fs 10 highest-paying countries for information technology (IT) managers are in Western Europe, according to a new survey by Mercer. Switzerland pays the highest salaries followed by Denmark, Belgium and the UK. The United States and Canada are ranked 6 and 8, respectively.

The United States, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden take the lead in the rankings of the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness index 2007-2008; Ireland retains 22nd ranking
The United States tops the overall ranking in  The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008, released by the World Economic Forum. Switzerland is in second position followed by Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Singapore, respectively. Chile is the highest ranked country in Latin America, followed by Mexico and Costa Rica.

Economic forecast cut; Consumer Prices excluding fresh food to remain close to 0% this year
The Bank of Japan today cut its economic growth forecast and conceded that its forecast of a rise in consumer prices this year will not materialise, making its objective of raising its very low interest rate difficult to justify.

Oil industry experts predict supply crunch in coming years; Underinvestment, skill shortages and difficult-to-access reserves, likely to keep oil above $100 a barrel for sustained period
As the price of a barrel of crude oil heads for the $100 threshold, and will soon exceed the real dollar all-time record value reached in 1980, the annual Oil & Money Conference was told in  London on Monday, that shortages of skilled labour and long-term under-investment mean oil supplies are unlikely to meet the expected growth in demand over the coming years.

Report says global labour mobility hampered by fraud; 84,000 individuals tried to enter US in 2005 with fraudulent documentation
The Economist Intelligence Unit, the business-to-business arm of the Economist Group, which publishes The Economist magazine, launched a new report, entitled Paper chase: Document fraud in the immigration process. The report was researched and written by the Economist Intelligence Unit and was sponsored by IntegraScreen.

Denmark tops Economist Intelligence Unit's business environment rankings for 2008-2012; US and Ireland slip
The comparative attractiveness of the US business environment is set to decline over the next five years as a result of mounting financial and macroeconomic risks, increased protectionism, security concerns and strained international relations.

Chinese consumers prefer their own brands over foreign ones
A large and growing proportion of Chinese consumers trust local brands over foreign ones, providing useful feedback to for foreign and domestic brands focused on tapping into the evolving consumer economy, according to the China unit of US management consultants McKinsey.

ACCESS TO NEW REPORTS FROM OTHER SOURCES

Friday

ChemChina Offers $2.7 Billion for Nufarm, Bids with Blackstone, People Say  - - China National Chemical Corp. offered A$2.96 billion ($2.7 billion) for Australian farm-chemical maker Nufarm Ltd. and invited two U.S. private equity firms to join the bid, three people familiar with the matter said.

China's Pension Fund Declines Comment on Media Report It's Selling Stocks  - - China's National Council for Social Security Fund, the government's pension, declined to comment on a newspaper's report that it's been instructed to reduce its equity holdings within a month.

Lenovo Climbs in Hong Kong Trading After Profit Beats Analysts' Estimates  - - Lenovo Group Ltd., the world's third- biggest maker of personal computers, advanced in Hong Kong trading after reporting profit rose more than analysts estimated, bolstered by overseas sales and cost cuts.

Citic Securities Rises by Daily Limit After Trading Halt on Bear Stearns  - - Citic Securities Co., Asia's largest brokerage by market value, jumped by the 10 percent daily limit on its first day of trading in Shanghai since announcing a $1 billion cross-investment with Bear Stearns Cos.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index Drops on U.S. Subprime Concerns; HSBC Slides  - - Hong Kong's stocks fell, led by banks, on renewed concern credit-market losses will hurt earnings after analysts said Citigroup Inc. may be short of capital and advised investors to sell its shares.

Lenovo net jumps 177% on demand and laptops - - Lenovo Group Ltd reported Thursday a better-than-expected jump of 177 percent in net profit year on year in the third quarter due to the booming laptop computer business and robust global demand.

The Good Times Roll at Lenovo - - Taiwanese rival Acer got Packard Bell, but Lenovo is surging ahead in Europe and other markets, leading to a quarterly earnings gain of 178%

How the Widget Was Won - - Asian rivals have U.S. manufacturers scrambling for niches

Asian TV Piracy Cost: $1.5 Billion - - A new study says that cable and satellite pay TV operators in Asia will lose $1.54 billion this year from piracy, while $213 million is being lost in unpaid taxes

China, India Hold Offshoring Ground - - A new study reveals India and China continue to lead in Asia's offshoring activities, while the Philippines' growth has exceeded expectations

 Indonesia: Poised for Rapid Growth? - - Democracy plus low labor costs make the world's largest Muslim country a potential economic powerhouse. One problem: a restrictive legal system

 Asian Stocks Slide on Renewed Subprime Concern; Banks, Exporters Lead Drop  - - Asian stocks fell the most in almost two weeks, led by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., on concern Citigroup Inc. may be short of capital, renewing speculation losses from U.S. subprime loans will reduce profits.

Astellas Pharma Opens Mumbai Office, Plans to Enter Indian Drug Market  - - Astellas Pharma Inc., Japan's second- largest drugmaker, opened an office in Mumbai, paving the way for entry into India's $6.2 billion pharmaceutical market.

Larsen & Toubro to Raise $700 Million Overseas, Business Standard Reports  - - India's Larsen & Toubro Ltd. plans to raise $700 million selling shares overseas, the Business Standard newspaper said, citing unidentified company officials.

India's Exports Rose at Fastest in Five Months in September as Rupee Gains  - - India's exports of gems, textiles and other manufactured products rose at the fastest pace in five months in September as exporters coped with a record surge in the rupee against the dollar by switching markets and currencies.

Ford May Have Received Three Jaguar, Land Rover Offers, Telegraph Reports  - - Ford Motor Co. may have received three formal offers for its Jaguar and Land Rover businesses, the Daily Telegraph reported, without saying where it got its information.

FM: No need to fix pvt salaries - - Finance minister P Chidambaram on Monday said salaries in the private sector should not be regulated. Two months ago, his boss, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had said corporate India should resist paying excessive remuneration to promoters and senior executives.

India must pay $130 plus for SA coal trade - - Indian coal end-users seeking South African coal for delivery within the next several months are likely to have to pay over $130.00 a tonne CIF following recent tenders, Indian traders said on Wednesday.

Nikkei 225 Tumbles After Citigroup's Drop Renews U.S. Subprime Concerns  - - Japanese stocks tumbled, led by banks such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., after analysts said Citigroup Inc. may be short of capital, renewing concern losses from U.S. subprime mortgages will reduce profits.

Dollar Heads for Weekly Decline Against Euro Before U.S. Payrolls Report  - - The dollar headed for a fourth weekly loss against the euro on speculation a U.S. government report will show slower employment growth and increase pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.

Mitsubishi UFJ Leads Bank Shares Down on Renewed Concern on Subprime Loans  - - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. led Japanese banks lower in Tokyo trading after analysts said Citigroup Inc. may be short of capital, triggering concerns about the health of the global financial industry.

Fukui Says Bank of Japan to Set Policy `Carefully' Amid Market Volatility  - - Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui said global financial markets remain volatile and the central bank must ``implement monetary policy carefully,'' amid speculation interest rates won't increase anytime soon.

Daihatsu Shares Gain After Mizuho Raises Rating on Automaker's Earnings  - - Daihatsu Motor Co., Japan's largest minicar maker, rose on the Tokyo Stock Exchange after Mizuho Securities Co. raised its rating on the company to ``strong buy'' yesterday.

No Rate Rise In Japan - - BOJ keeps its key interest rate unchanged, citing upbeat forecasts, though it may tighten credit later. But is this a ploy? And is it warranted?

Thursday

Hong Kong Forward Currency Traders Bet on Abandonment of U.S. Dollar Peg  - - Currency traders are betting in the forward exchange rate market that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will abandon its currency's 24-year peg to the U.S. dollar as overseas investment floods into the city.

China to Start Index Futures `Soon,' Shanghai Stock Exchange Official Says  - - China will introduce stock index futures ``soon'' to give investors tools to hedge market risks, Zhou Qinye, executive vice president of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, said in a conference in the city.

China Unexpectedly Raises Fuel Prices in `Urgent Step' to Ensure Supplies  - - China unexpectedly increased fuel prices by as much as 10 percent in an ``urgent step'' to help the nation's oil refiners cover surging costs as crude touched records above $96 a barrel.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Denies Asking China to Revise U.S. Dollar Peg  - - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority denied market speculation that its officials have asked China to allow the city to revise its fixed exchange rate.

Hong Kong's Retail Sales Seen Rising 15.5 Percent as Wages, Shares Climb  - - Hong Kong's retail sales probably increased more than 10 percent for a fifth straight month as a buoyant stock market and rising incomes stoked consumer spending.

China to raise gasoline price - - China will raise the prices of gasoline, diesel oil and aviation kerosene by 500 yuan per ton, almost a 10 percent rise, starting from November 1, China's economic planner announced on Wednesday.

China posts $162 bln surplus in current account in 1st half - - China's current account surplus hit 162.9 billion U.S. dollars in the first half, up from about 90 billion U.S. dollars in the same period of last year, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) announced on Wednesday.

China's crude steel output to reach 480 mln tons - - China Iron & Steel Association (CISA) forecasted that China's crude steel output in 2007 would reach 480 million tons, up 14 percent compared with the previous year.

Asian Stocks Advance to a Record on Fed Rate Cut; Canon, BHP Lead Gains  - - Asian stocks rose after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and U.S. economic growth accelerated, bolstering confidenxpotarget="_blank"rt market.

Bajaj Hindusthan, Rival Sugar Mill Shares May Fall on Price Fixing Concern  - - Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd., India's biggest sugar refiner by value, and rivals that have mills in the country's largest cane-producing state may decline in Mumbai trading on concern government price-fixing will erode earnings.

Punj Lloyd's Second-Quarter Profit Surges to 314 Million Rupees on Orders  - - Punj Lloyd Ltd., an Indian engineering and construction company, said second-quarter profit surged as it got more orders in an economy that is growing at 8.5 percent in the year to March 31, 2008.

Crude Oil Rises to Record Above $96 a Barrel on Decline in U.S. Stockpiles  - - Crude oil rose to a record $96.21 a barrel in New York after U.S. inventories unexpectedly fell to a two-year low and the economy expanded at the fastest pace in more than a year.

Sugar Producers, Bharat Petroleum, Essar Steel, Larsen: Equity Preview  - - The following stocks may rise or fall in Mumbai. Prices refer to yesterday's close. The preview includes news that broke after markets shut. Stock symbols are in brackets after company names.

RCoM net profit up 86% at Rs 1,304 cr - - Anil Ambani Group company Reliance Communications on Wednesday posted about 86 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit after tax at Rs 1,304.5 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2007

$60 bn-plan for Mumbai makeover: Deshmukh - - Maharashtra government has drawn up an ambitious USD 60 billion (Rs 2.25 lakh crore) action plan for makeover of Mumbai, aimed to convert India's commercial capital into a global financial hub.

Tata Motors Q2 net up 19 pc, beats forecast - - India's top vehicle maker, Tata Motors Ltd, reported on Wednesday a surprising 19 per cent rise in quarterly net profit, beating analysts forecast on higher sales.

Stocks Climb on U.S. Federal Reserve Rate-Cut; Canon, Mitsui & Co. Gain  - - Japanese stocks climbed after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and the U.S. economy expanded at the fastest pace in a year and a half.

Dollar Ends Decline Against Euro as Charts Signal Losses Were Excessive  - - The dollar snapped seven days of losses against the euro on speculation the currency's 1.6 percent decline over the past month was too fast as the Federal Reserve signaled it may have finished cutting interest rates.

Ten-Year Bonds Decline as Stock Gains Sap Demand for Debt Before Auction  - - Japan's 10-year government bonds fell the most in six weeks as a rally in stocks reduced demand for debt before an auction of the securities.

GCA Holdings Shares Surge in Tokyo on Plan to Buy U.S. M&A Firm Savvian  - - GCA Holdings Corp. shares surged as much as 17 percent, the stock's daily allowable gain, after the investment-advisory firm said it will acquire a U.S. company.

Yokogawa Shares Decline After Cutting Forecast, Stock Downgrade by Nomura  - - Yokogawa Electric Corp., Japan's biggest maker of measuring instruments, fell a three-year low in Tokyo trading after lowering its profit forecast and Nomura Securities Co. cut the stock's investment rating.

 BOJ leaves key rate alone amid housing, other market woes - - The Bank of Japan Policy Board decided by an 8-1 majority vote Wednesday to leave the bank's key short-term interest rate unchanged at 0.5 percent in line with market expectations.

New housing starts drop record 44% - - Housing starts plunged 44.0 percent in September, the sharpest fall on record, to 63,018 units as confusion and procedural delays over stiffer building regulations weighed on the market, the government said Wednesday.

Wednesday

Greenspan Says China Stock Market Is a Speculative Bubble That Will Burst  - - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said China's stock market is a speculative bubble that will burst.

Asian Stocks Fall in U.S. Trading; Cnooc, BHP Billiton, Lihir Gold Decline  - - Asian stocks fell in U.S. trading after U.S. consumer confidence dropped to the lowest since 2005 and home prices declined, spurring concern growth in the world's largest economy is slowing. BHP Billiton led the retreat.

China's Biggest Trade Fair Orders Hurt by Yuan Gain, Not Product Recalls  - - Exporters struck fewer deals at China's biggest trade fair in southern Guangzhou city because an appreciating yuan is making Chinese goods more expensive.

Foreigners in Guangzhou required to declare tax - - From Thursday, foreigners and overseas Chinese in the southern city of Guangzhou will have to declare their personal income for tax purposes.

China amends aviation code to allow more flights - - China's military has amended its aviation code for commercial aircraft to allow more flights in the holding spaces above airports.

Chinese shares continue to surge, led by heavyweights - - China's major stock index soared 2.6 percent on Tuesday following a rally of 2.86 percent on the previous trading day.

Hong Kong stocks end at another record high - - Hong Kong stocks closed up 51 points, or 0.16 percent at 31,638 points, hitting another record high buoyed by blue chips especially in the banking sector.

China's Olympic Ticket Frenzy - - Getting into the Games isn't easy in a country of 1.3 billion. In Round Two of ticket sales, the official Web site drew 8 million hits in the first hour

China 3G: The Great Inch Forward - - News of the National Audit Office's probe of the efficiency of the leading fixed-line carriers prompted spikes in telecom stocks in Hong Kong

Acer Chief Promises No Gateway Layoffs - - J.T. Wang talks about the Taiwanese company's rationale for buying also-ran American PC maker Gateway as well European company Packard Bell

EBay Has Its Eye on Southeast Asia - - Sam McDonagh, director of eBay Southeast Asia, is optimistic about the online marketplace's growth prospects, not just in Singapore, but in the whole region

India May Raise Lenders' Reserve Limit as U.S. Plans Key Interest-Rate Cut  - - India may restrict bank lending for a fifth time this year to check inflation, as foreign investors facing declining interest rates in the U.S. pump record cash into the world's second-fastest growing economy.

Unitech to Sell Stock Worth $1.9 Billion, Tapping Indian Property Boom  - - Unitech Ltd., the Indian real estate developer whose stock rose almost 50 times since the beginning of last year, plans to sell shares worth $1.9 billion, betting the nation's property boom will lure investors.

JPMorgan Starts $2 Billion India Fund for Road, Power, Port Investments  - - JPMorgan Chase & Co., the third- largest U.S. bank, set up a $2 billion fund focusing on infrastructure investments in India, where spending on roads, ports and power may double over the next five years.

Rupee Trades Near 9 1/2-Year Record as Central Bank Keeps Rates Unchanged  - - India's rupee advanced for the sixth day after the central bank left interest rates unchanged, reinforcing speculation the nation's yield advantage over the U.S. will widen.

Oil & Natural Gas Net Rises 22 Percent to a Record as Crude Prices Surge  - - Oil & Natural Gas Corp., India's biggest explorer, posted a 22 percent rise in profit to a record in the second-quarter, benefiting from a surge in crude oil prices.

A Wireless Revolution in India - - With young people and others using their phones for texting, e-mail, and Web surfing, it's an increasingly wireless way of life on the Subcontinent

Jobless rate rises second month to hit 4.0% - - The seasonally adjusted jobless rate in September rose by 0.2 point from the previous month to 4.0 percent for the second straight month of deterioration, prompting the government to lower its assessment of the employment situation for the first time in 31 months.

Japan's Wages, Summer Bonuses Decline, Curbing Households' Spending Power  - - Japan's wages fell in September as an extra holiday in the month shortened working hours. Summer bonuses dropped, sapping household buying power and sentiment.

Shares Fall in Tokyo on Oil Price Decline; Mitsui Drops, Matsushita Gains  - - Japanese stocks fell, led by commodities-related companies, after the price of oil tumbled by the most in almost three months.

Ten-Year Government Bonds May Gain on Expectations Rates to Stay Unchanged  - - Japan's government bonds may rise on speculation the central bank will keep interest rates unchanged as policy makers assess the effect of the U.S. housing recession on global economic growth.

Dollar Approaches Record Low After Consumer Confidence, Home Prices Fall  - - The dollar fell to a record low against the euro as traders bet the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point, dimming the allure of U.S. fixed-income assets.

Fidelity's Ford Plans Bond Funds for Japan as Baby Boomers Begin to Retire  - - Fidelity Investments Japan Ltd., trailing Nikko Asset Management Co. and Nomura Asset Management Co., plans to move oversight of its bond funds to Tokyo from Hong Kong to gain customers in the country's retirement market.

Why Is Nissan Mimicking MySpace? - - The Japanese carmaker is rolling out a social networking site, called N-Square, designed to bypass bureaucracy by boosting informal contacts

Tokyo, London bourses to create Asia risk-capital market - - Tokyo Stock Exchange Group Inc. and London Stock Exchange Group PLC announced plans Tuesday to form a new stock market for emerging innovative firms by the end of 2008 to help them raise venture capital in a less severe regulatory environment.

Tuesday

Sun Hung Kai Share Sale to Raise $1.4 Billion as Stock Hits 20-Year High  - - Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., Hong Kong's biggest developer, plans to raise HK$10.9 billion ($1.4 billion) selling new shares to investors after the company's stock surged to the highest in at least 20 years.

Sinopec Experiencing `Relatively Higher' Impact From Rising Crude Prices  - - China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Asia's biggest oil refiner, said global crude prices, inflated by ``political, financial and regional'' factors, will have a ``relatively higher'' impact on its operations.

Hang Lung Shareholder May Sell Stake After Stock Stock Doubles This Year  - - A Hang Lung Properties Ltd. shareholder aims to raise HK$390 million ($50 million) from selling stock in the company, Hong Kong's third-biggest developer by market value.

China State Shipbuilding's Shares Gain After Profit Surges Almost Sixfold  - - China State Shipbuilding Co., the country's biggest, had its biggest gain in almost three weeks in Shanghai trading after the company said yesterday third-quarter profit surged almost sixfold.

GCL-Poly Energy May Raise $152 Million From Hong Kong IPO, Document Says  - - GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., a Chinese power company, may raise HK$1.18 billion ($152 million) from an initial public offering in Hong Kong, according to a share sale document.

Singapore's famed Orchard Road gets $27 mln makeover - - Singapore on Monday unveiled a 40 million Singapore dollar (about 27.3 million U.S. dollars) plan to rejuvenate Orchard Road, the country's main shopping belt, as one of its key ways to maintain its attraction as a key shopping destination in Asia.

Chinese yuan breaks 7.48 mark against USD - - China's Renminbi (RMB) broke the 7.48 mark to reach a new central parity rate of 7.4718 yuan to one U.S. dollar on Monday, according to the Chinese Foreign Exchange Trading System.

Indian Rupee Rally May Stall as Exports Slow, Standard Chartered Predicts  - - The Indian rupee's rally may stall at 39 against the dollar as the currency's strength slows export growth and investor enthusiasm for emerging markets wanes, Standard Chartered Plc said.

GTL Infrastructure Boosts Convertible Bond Sale to $250 Million on Demand  - - GTL Infrastructure Ltd., an Indian telecommunications infrastructure company, increased a convertible bond sale by 25 percent after investors placed orders for more than $1 billion of the securities.

Asian Stocks Fall; Kookmin Bank, Toshiba Decline After Earnings Disappoint  - - Asian stocks fell, dragging a regional benchmark from a record, after Kookmin Bank reported earnings that missed analysts' estimates and Baoshan Iron & Steel Co.'s profit decreased for the first time in more than a year.

Euro Declines on Speculation European Bank Losses May Delay Rate Increase  - - The euro snapped five days of gains versus the dollar on speculation European banks will report increased losses related to subprime mortgage defaults.

Japanese Stocks Drop, Led by Takeda on Drug Test Suspension; Toshiba Falls  - - Japanese stocks fell for the first time in three days, led by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. after U.S. drug regulators recommended patient studies on one of its most promising experimental medicines be suspended.

Japan's Unemployment Rate Unexpectedly Rose for Second Month in September  - - Japan's unemployment rate unexpectedly rose for a second month, undermining the central bank's case for raising interest rates.

Takeda Falls Most in 20 Years After Delay in Testing of Cholesterol Drug  - - Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Japan's largest drugmaker, fell the most in 20 years in Tokyo trading because of delays developing a new pill for the $28 billion market for treatments to lower cholesterol.

Japan's Bonds Little Changed Before Bank of Japan, Fed Policy Statements  - - Japan's government bonds may decline on speculation investors will sell the securities to prepare for a two-year note auction.

Euro Declines on Speculation European Bank Losses May Delay Rate Increase  - - The euro snapped five days of gains versus the dollar on speculation European banks will report increased losses related to subprime mortgage defaults.

Toshiba profit rises on PC, chip sales - - Toshiba Corp. said Monday its group net profit rose 17.6 percent to ¥45.7 billion in the fiscal first half thanks to brisk sales of computers in Europe and the United States and its core semiconductor business.    

Matsushita to resume battery output - - Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. plans to fully resume production of lithium batteries by the end of this year at its Osaka plant, where work has been suspended following a Sept. 30 fire, the company said Monday.

Monday

China's Yuan Climbs Most Since Link to the U.S. Dollar Ended in July 2005  - - The yuan rose the most since a dollar link was ended more than two years ago.

China Merchants Plans $470 Million Bulk, Container Terminal in Shenzhen  - - China Merchants Holdings (International) Co., owner of stakes in the country's five largest container ports, plans to spend 3.5 billion yuan ($468 million) build a multi-purpose terminal for bulk cargo and containers in Shenzhen, Chairman Fu Yuning said.

FAW Car Profit Rises 57 Percent on Higher Sales of Mazda Vehicles in China  - - FAW Car Co., Mazda Motor Corp.'s Chinese partner, said third-quarter profit jumped 57 percent because of higher car sales and a change in accounting rules.

ICBC Shares Advance in Shanghai After Buying South Africa's Standard Bank  - - Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., the world's largest bank by market value, rose in Shanghai trading after it agreed to buy 20 percent of Standard Bank Group Ltd., Africa's largest bank.

Hong Kong's Wharf Holdings Hires HSBC, UBS to Sell $400 Million of Bonds  - - Wharf (Holdings) Ltd., the Hong Kong landlord and port operator, hired HSBC Holdings Plc and UBS AG to sell as much as $400 million of U.S. dollar bonds, according to an e-mail sent to investors.

China's total trade volume may exceed $2.1 tln this year - - China's total volume of foreign trade is expected to exceed 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars, up 20 percent over last year, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Commerce during the ongoing 102nd China Import and Export Commodities Fair.

China Shenhua added to Hang Seng China AH Index Series - - China Shenhua, the nation's largest coal producer, has been added to the Hang Seng China AH Index Series which comprises the largest and most liquid Chinese mainland companies with both A-share and H-share listings.

PetroChina attracts record subscription for Shanghai IPO - - PetroChina, the nation's largest oil producer, has attracted a record 3.3 trillion yuan in subscriptions for its A-share listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Beijing News reports.

EU steel producers brewing anti-dumping complaint against China - - Steel producers of the European Union (EU) are threatening to file anti-dumping complaints to the European Commission next week against rising imports from China, media reports said on Friday.

Housing prices in major Chinese cities up 8.9% in September - - Housing prices in 70 large and medium-sized Chinese cities rose by 8.9 percent year-on-year in September, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said here on Friday.

Paulson Urges Indian Government to Sign Civilian Nuclear Accord With U.S.  - - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson urged India to sign a civilian nuclear agreement with the U.S. to help the world's second most-populous nation address its energy shortage and reduce pollution.

State Bank of India Second-Quarter Profit Rises 36% on Loans to Companies  - - State Bank of India, the nation's biggest bank by assets, said second-quarter profit rose 36 percent on credit demand from companies, farmers and individuals in the world's fastest growing major economy after China.

Asian Stocks Rise for Third Day; BHP Billiton, Mitsubishi UFJ Lead Gain  - - Asian stocks rose for the third day as better-than-estimated earnings at Nissan Motor Co. and higher commodity prices boosted prospects for profit growth.

NTPC's Second-Quarter Profit Rises 31% as India's Electricity Demand Grows  - - NTPC Ltd., India's biggest power producer, posted a 31 percent gain in the quarter ended September as sales were boosted by rising demand for electricity in the world's second-fastest growing major economy after China.

30,000 people jobless as salt industries go bust in Bangladesh - - Some 30,000 people have become jobless as 23 big salt industries have closed down so far in Bangladesh's southwestern Khulna district for shortage of funds.

Stocks Rise in Tokyo on Nissan Earnings; Canon Gains, Advantest Slumps  - - Japanese stocks rose, with the Topix index advancing the most in a month. Nissan Motor Co. led gains after it reported profit that beat analysts' estimates, boosting confidence earnings growth will be sustained.

Ten-Year Bonds Fall for Third Day as Gain in Stocks Damps Demand for Debt  - - Japan's 10-year bonds declined for a third day after stocks advanced, damping demand for the relative safety of government debt.

Retail Sales Unexpectedly Rise for a Second Month on Gasoline, Cold Drinks  - - Japan's retail sales unexpectedly rose for a second month in September as lingering summer heat spurred demand for cold drinks and two long weekends prompted people to fill up their gas tanks and drive.

Nissan's Shares Gain the Most in Six Years After Operating Profit Climbs  - - Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third- largest automaker, rose the most in six years on the Tokyo Stock Exchange after it reported higher fiscal second-quarter operating profit and analysts raised their ratings.

Dollar Falls to Record Low Against Euro as Bets on Fed Rate Cut Increase  - - The dollar fell to a record low against the euro on speculation the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this week as a U.S. housing slump reverberates through the economy.

Japan, Taiwan to sign deal on flights - - Japanese and Taiwanese officials have said that a landmark air travel agreement will be signed as early as next month allowing All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines to phase out the practice of flying to and from Taiwan via subsidiaries.

A Good Week for Nissan's Ghosn - - The successful launch of the GT-R supercar and solid, if unspectacular, interim results suggest that the Japanese automaker is back in the groove

Coming Soon: A Cambodian Stock Exchange - - Despite corruption and poverty, the Southeast Asian nation is teaming with Korea Exchange to launch a bourse in 2009. Believers are lining up