Is the World Emerging From Its Deep Slump?

Turnabouts in European and Asian economies, along with recent gains in the U.S., are raising hopes that that the worldwide recession is drawing to a close. That’s not to say the coast is clear.

Calley apologizes for My Lai massacre

After nearly 40 years of silence, convicted ex-Army officer says he’s sorry

Unprofitable sites left undeveloped in mainland cities

A majority of the building sites in 12 mainland cities that were sold at exceptionally high prices during the feverish market peak in 2007 remain idle today because the cost of the land has made it difficult for developers to turn a profit, according to a survey.

Raffles Education

In the last few months, RE had rebounded each time from the Guppy long term support lines. RE's results is out early next week. There were many cases where stocks were deliberately pressed down before results and then pushed up after results were out.

Like it or not, Australia’s fortunes hitched to China economy

People everywhere are discovering the communist superpower looming ever larger over their economic fortunes, and few so much as Australia’s 22 million denizens.

Hurun compiler denies rich list brings bad luck

Rupert Hoogewerf, founder and publisher of the list of the mainland’s richest tycoons, has defended himself against criticism that his list is a jinx, bringing misfortune to those who appear on it.

40 years on US officer says sorry for Vietnam massacre

After more than 40 years the former US army officer found guilty of involvement in the massacre of women and children in the Vietnamese village of My Lai during the war has made a public apology.

Party organ gives CCTV sex angle new legs

Wags in Beijing long ago dubbed the new CCTV Tower the “trouser legs”. Now they, and others, have realised the name may not be far wrong. And many don’t like the idea that Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas may have pulled off a joke at China’s expense.

The men who make up gangs of Chongqing

They are former inmates, disillusioned police officers and jobless migrants struggling to survive in an ever growing metropolis. But they are also budding bureaucrats, successful businessmen and even the offspring of the local political elite.

Chongqing triads put 12m yuan price on police chief’s head

Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun is at the centre of the municipality’s efforts to take on the triads - and his efforts appear to be well directed if the gangsters’ response is anything to go by.

Chongqing's residents call him 包青天.

Mexican Drug Cartels Find a New Home in California State Parks

Firefighters battle the La Brea fire that has been burning for eight days and destroyed over 84,000 acres. The fire was reportedly caused by an illegal camp fire at a marijuana farm.

AusGroup

Already broke out of the rectangle, just need to cross 0.660 towards 0.870.

Ezion

Ezion should break out of the rectangle with a bang. I am looking at 0.900-0.965 target.

Officer asked about genital size

The woman, who alleged that a senior anti-graft officer had hit her during questioning, testified on Friday that he asked her about the size of her husband’s penis.

You can’t have decoupling in an age of globalisation

With Asia showing signs of clawing its way out of the slump ahead of the developed world, there has been a sudden rebound in talk about decoupling: the idea that East Asia can unshackle its economic performance from that of the rich countries and achieve sustainable growth independently.

A Sad Day

I grew up watching Charlie's Angels and Michael Jackson's MTV. Both icons passed away yesterday. I have the same depressing feeling as when 梅艳芳 and 张国荣 passed away few years ago. It's a sign that I am ageing? Life is short, really short. Got to treasure every moment before I close my eyes.

Bribe-taking forces Ikea to halt investment in Russia

Ikea said on Tuesday that it was suspending further investment in Russia, apparently because of pervasive corruption and demands for bribes.

Linking of HK, Shenzhen bourses mulled

Hong Kong and Shenzhen could integrate their equity markets into one financial market to attract investors from both areas, said Lawrence Lau Juen-yee, vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Buy gold to hedge dollar fall, urges party official

Mainland should buy more gold because the dollar is poised for a fall and the metal is needed to support the greater international role envisaged for the yuan, a senior researcher with the ruling Communist Party said on Thursday.

CLSA chief slams HK’s complacency, red tape

Rob Morrison says Hong Kong's bureaucracy has driven CLSA to pick Singapore for expansion.

Hong Kong is too complacent about its cosy status as the financial gateway to the mainland and faces plunging into obscurity if Shanghai becomes the mainland’s leading capital market, a senior local banker says.