WSJ.com: What's News Asia

Myanmar Peril Escalates

Sun, 11 May 2008 19:46:00 EDT

Relief workers warn that it could take weeks to reach many of Myanmar's cyclone victims due to the nation's decrepit infrastructure, increasing the number of people at risk and raising the possibility of unrest. The toll from last week's cyclone climbed to about 29,000.

Pressure on Beijing to Step In Grows

Sun, 11 May 2008 19:45:00 EDT

Human-rights advocates called on China to pressure Myanmar's government to quickly accept international relief for cyclone victims, drawing attention to Beijing's apparent unwillingness to play a larger diplomatic role in the crisis.

China Aims to Strengthen Controls on Inflation

Sun, 11 May 2008 19:50:00 EDT

China aims to strengthen macroeconomic controls and continue with a tight monetary policy to prevent its economy from overheating and inflation from worsening.

U.S. Beef Imports Stir Korea's Political Pot

Sun, 11 May 2008 19:48:00 EDT

South Korea's food scare over U.S. beef escalated, showing how anti-U.S. sentiment is used as a political tool.

Hyundai Changes U.S. Production Plan

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:47:00 EDT

Hyundai canceled a plan to produce pickup trucks in the U.S., in reaction to a major shift by American car-buyers away from trucks to smaller vehicles.

Indonesian Court Orders Temasek to Reduce Stakes

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:04:00 EDT

Singapore's Temasek must sell its stake in either Telkomsel or Indosat or cut its holdings in both wireless companies by half, an Indonesian court ruled.

Bharti Airtel Weighs Raising Offer for MTN

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:04:00 EDT

India's Bharti Airtel is considering raising its offer for control of South Africa's MTN.

Hang Seng Index Gets a New Look

Sun, 11 May 2008 20:18:00 EDT

Aluminum Corp. of China and Tencent will join the Hang Seng index, replacing PCCW and Cheung Kong Infrastructure.

Irregularities Mar Sri Lanka Vote

Sun, 11 May 2008 07:53:00 EDT

Sri Lanka's ruling party won control of the country's tense Eastern Province in an election hailed by the government as a celebration of democracy but that was observers say was marred by fraud and voter intimidation.

Malaysia Will Raise Subsidies

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:15:00 EDT

Government subsidies for gas, food and other essential goods are expected to hit $15.6 billion this year in Malaysia as global oil prices soar.

NAB's First-Half Net Rises 26%

Fri, 09 May 2008 04:21:00 EDT

National Australia Bank said its first-half net profit rose 26%, but joined the nation's other major banks in recording significantly higher charges for problem corporate loans and lower margins due to the global credit crunch.

Takeda Says Biotech Deal to Pay Off

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:58:00 EDT

Takeda Pharmaceutical posted a 5.9% rise in full-year net profit, but said it expects earnings to slump in the current year following its recent $8.8 billion purchase of a U.S. biotechnology company.

Concerns About China Arbitration Rise

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:57:00 EDT

Western companies doing business in China are increasingly being asked to resolve disputes through arbitration in China in the event a deal goes sour. Among issues worrying companies are how the arbitrators are chosen and paid under the Chinese system.

FDA Withholds List of Heparin Suppliers

Fri, 09 May 2008 22:45:00 EDT

The FDA is withholding from congressional investigators a list of Chinese heparin suppliers, raising tensions between it and lawmakers.