China's local GDP data points to recovery, rebalancing

(Reuters) - China's regional economies enjoyed a revival in growth in the second quarter, data from provincial governments showed, chiming with earlier figures that suggest a burst of government stimulus measures is re-invigorating activity.

Future grows darker for solar energy growth in Japan

(Reuters) - On the second anniversary of a scheme aimed at boosting Japan's renewable energy after the Fukushima crisis, its powerful industry ministry is taking steps critics say will choke off solar investment and pave the way for a return to nuclear power.

China needs to import more food to ease water, energy shortages: official

(Reuters) - China should boost imports of food so it can dedicate more of its scarce water supplies to energy production, especially in arid but coal-rich regions like Xinjiang and Ningxia, a senior environmental official said on Monday.

Malaysia's economic growth to pick up in 2014, household debt a risk-World Bank

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Reuters) - Malaysia's economy isexpected to expand 5.4 percent this year, picking up from growthof 4.7 percent in 2013, as brightening exports outweigh anexpected cooling in domestic demand, the World Bank said onFriday.

Japan’s Export-Champ Days Are Left Behind, Chart Shows

Japan’s exports stagnated even as Germany, South Korea and the U.S. saw their shipments surpass levels registered from the 2008 credit crisis, showing how a cheaper yen hasn’t stopped the nation’s manufacturers from moving abroad.

Rupee Set for Weekly Gain as India Eases Bond Cap for Foreigners

India’s rupee was headed for a weekly gain on optimism the nation will attract more capital as limits on inward investment in government debt and the insurance business are relaxed.

South Korea Unveils $11 Billion Growth Plan as Economy Weakens

South Korea unveiled 11.7 trillion won ($11.4 billion) in government initiatives to shore up Asia’s fourth-largest economy after growth slumped to the weakest pace in more than a year in the second quarter.

China to tackle 'fortress economies' in new super-region plan

(Reuters) - China is readying an assault on the "fortress economies" of local governments by creating a super region around Beijing, with proposals that sources suggest will be more aggressive than so far has been publicly revealed.

Malaysia crash ups Ukraine tension with oil firms caught in middle

The confrontation between Russia and the West took a turn for the worse with the downing of a Malaysian airliner on July 17, and that could spell trouble for several major oil companies operating in Russia.

Abbott Australia Surplus Goal at Risk in Budget Impasse: Economy

Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s bid to put Australia back on a path to surplus is under threat from senators opposing A$40 billion ($37.6 billion) in savings.

China Purge Fears Paralyzing Government And Undercutting The Economy

In China, local bureaucracies are “effectively on strike,” notes John Fitzgerald, director of the Asia-Pacific Center of Swinburne Business School in Australia.

China lends Argentina $7.5 billion for power, rail projects

(Reuters) - Argentina signed deals on Friday to borrow $7.5 billion from China at a time when the Latin American country cannot tap global capital markets because of disputes over unpaid debt.

Australia Says Putin Still Expected at G-20 as MH17 Attack Probed

Russian President Vladimir Putin is still expected to attend the Group of 20 nations summit in November, Australia said, as pro-Russian rebels were blamed for shooting down a Malaysian jet over Ukraine.

Kuroda Loan Spigot Drowns Yield Curve as Banks Buy: Japan Credit

The Bank of Japan’s low-interest loan program has spurred buying of higher-yielding sovereign debt. How much it has fueled economic growth is up for debate.

The biggest challenge for BRICS success? Big brother China

(Reuters) - In two years of tough negotiations to create the new BRICS development bank, the main stumbling block was not a lack of resources or commitment, but fellow partner China.

Philippines Shuts Markets, Offices as Typhoon Heads to Manila

The Philippines ordered financial markets and government offices shut today as the capital braces for Typhoon Rammasun, which killed at least two people before making landfall.

China's growth stagnates as property threat grows

China's economy is in danger of missing its growth target as risk balloons in the country's all-important real estate sector, according to a CNNMoney survey of economists.

Nepal unveils $6.4 billion budget

KATHMANDU: Nepal's new government on Sunday unveiled the country's first full budget in three years, aimed at revitalising an economy hit by long-standing political turmoil.

Japanese firms near crisis point as labor shortage deepens

(Reuters) - Japan's labor shortage is nearing crisis in some key industries as it spreads from construction to services, curbing companies' operations, pushing up wages and potentially crimping a tentative recovery in the world's third-largest economy.

India pays $550 million in oil dues to Iran: sources

(Reuters) - India paid a second instalment of $550 million in oil dues to Iran on Tuesday under an interim deal that has allowed Tehran access to $4.2 billion in blocked funds globally, two industry sources said.

Japan Machine Orders Fall by Record in Spending Caution Sign

Japan’s machinery orders fell the most on record in May, suggesting that companies remain cautious about deploying record cash reserves into investment.

India's GDP Growth Could Accelerate to About 6% This Year: Economic Survey

India's economy could grow six percent this year, a key report on the state of Asia's third largest economy showed.

World Bank welcomes China-led infrastructure bank

(Reuters) - World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim on Tuesday welcomed a new multilateral infrastructure bank proposed by China, saying there was a "massive need" for new investment in this area.

Next Indonesian leader walks into economic storm

The winner of this week's Indonesian presidential election faces serious challenges to keep Southeast Asia's top economy on track, from cutting fuel subsidies and fighting corruption to revamping creaking infrastructure and boosting spending on the poor.

China premier says economy fares better in second quarter than first quarter

(Reuters) - China's economic performance has improved in the second quarter from the first quarter, though the downward pressure should not yet be ignored, Premier Li Keqiang said in a statement published on Friday.

Asian Currencies in Weekly Advance as Export Outlook Brightens

Asian currencies advanced the most last week in almost two months, led by Indonesia’s rupiah, as signs of improvement in the world’s two largest economies spurred optimism that regional exports will pick up.

Indonesia Risks Suharto Dynasty Rerun as Son-in-Law Also Rises

Sixteen years after the overthrow of the dictator Suharto, Indonesia is turning back toward that regime as his former son-in-law pulls level in the race to run the world’s third-largest democracy.

Australia rebalancing act to take time, A$ overvalued: RBA

(Reuters) - Australia's economic rebalancing away from the mining boom is still in its early stages, a top central banker said on Thursday, while warning investors they were underestimating the risk of sharp fall in the local dollar.

Hong Kong Defends Currency Peg for First Time Since 2012

Hong Kong’s de facto central bank stepped in for the first time since December 2012 to prevent the city’s currency from rising against the U.S. dollar.

China manufacturing growth hits six-month high in June

China's manufacturing activity grew at its fastest pace for six months in June, suggesting that recent stimulus moves have started to have an impact.

China says welcomes US, Japan to join in new infrastructure bank

BEIJING, June 30 (Reuters) - China would welcome the participation of the United States, Japan and European countries to help set up a new multilateral bank to fund infrastructure projects in Asia, the country's finance minister was quoted as saying on Monday.