India Q4 GDP rises 8.6 pct

India's gross domestic product (GDP) grew more than estimated in the quarter through March 2010, driven by strong growth in manufacturing sector.

Rita Lau to promote tourism in Shanghai

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau will depart forShanghai tomorrow to launch the Now Shanghai! Next Hong Kong! campaign to attract Shanghai Expo visitors to Hong Kong and promote Festive Hong Kong 2010.

Insurance industry premiums grow 16.2%

The total gross premiums of Hong Kong's insurance industry grew 16.2% to $9.2 billion in the year's first quarter, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance says. Net premiums grew 14.4% to $6.5 billion.

April sees $200m deficit

A $200 million deficit was recorded in the Government's financial results for April, the first month of the current financial year.

Exchange Fund assets down $20.3b

The Exchange Fund's total assets fell $20.3 billion to $2.199 trillion at the end April, the Monetary Authority announces.

Total deposits rise 2.5%

Total deposits with authorised institutions rose 2.5% in April, according to statistics published by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority today.

India weather office predicts normal monsoon rains in 2010

The monsoon rains are vital for soybean, cane and rice crops in India.

Global rebound anemic: Roubini

Advanced economies face years of anemic growth and the risk of a double-dip recession as their citizens cope with sluggish employment and highly indebted governments, economist Nouriel Roubini said on Monday.

Standard Chartered raises $530 mln from India share sale

Standard Chartered sold a total of 240 million depositary receipts at 104 rupees each in a public offering

Final China quake toll near 3,000 dead and missing

Nearly 3,000 people are dead or missing after a strong quake in China's northwest last month, the official Xinhua agency said on Monday, giving a final toll for the tremor in largely Tibetan Yushu county.

Pakistan lifts Facebook ban, restrictions remain

A Pakistani court on Monday lifted a ban on social networking website Facebook which had carried a competition to draw the Prophet Mohammad, but access to any "blasphemous" material will remain blocked, officials said.

Israeli PM rejects "flawed" U.N. nuclear declaration

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a U.N. declaration that urged his country to put its nuclear facilities under U.N. safeguards, saying it singled out Israel while letting Iran off the hook.