South Korea September business outlook drops to lowest in over 1 year

(Reuters) - South Korean manufacturers are significantly more pessimistic about the business outlook for September than they were for August, central bank data showed on Friday, mirroring the fragility of the recovery in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

India's economic growth hits two year high

India's economy grew by 5.7% in the three months to June, its fastest pace in two-and-a-half years, according to an official estimate.

Japan vice econmin: More caution needed on next tax hike

(Reuters) - Japan's government needs to be more cautious about a coming decision on raising the national sales tax than it was on the previous hike as the economy reaches a "make-or-break point," a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Australia follows EU, US in allowing mobile devices in-flight

Passengers on Qantas and Virgin Australia from Tuesday were allowed to use mobile electronic devices in-flight with limited restrictions after a relaxation of the rules by the country's aviation authority.

Korea’s Biggest Fund Manager Sees One More BOK Rate Cut: Economy

South Korea’s central bank is likely to cut borrowing costs for the second time this year to help revive the economy, according to Samsung Asset Management Co.

China Developing an Operating System to Take on Microsoft, Google and Apple

China could have a new homegrown operating system by October to take on imported rivals such as Microsoft Corp, Google Inc and Apple Inc, Xinhua news agency said on Sunday.

China Said to Mull Subsidies for Energy-Saving Appliances

China is considering a plan to offer subsidies to encourage wider use of energy-saving home appliances, people familiar with the matter said. Shares of appliance makers rose.

Hong Kong Protestors Says Bring On Tear Gas in Poll Fight

Hong Kong pro-democracy activists say they want police to use tear gas and water cannon on them if China doesn’t meet their demands for the election of the city’s next leader.

Indian Economy to Expand by 5.8% in Fiscal 2014-15

The Indian economy, Asia's third-largest, remains on track to expand by about 5.8% in the financial year to 31, March 2015, the finance ministry's top official has said Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram also said India's industrial production data suggested that corporate order-books were building up.

Asia shares slip as China manufacturing data weighs

Hong Kong (AFP) - Asian markets mostly fell Thursday, with downbeat Chinese manufacturing data dragging down Hong Kong and Shanghai as concerns grew about the pace of recovery in the world's second-largest economy.

Business growth slows in China and Europe, Russia sanctions still to bite

(Reuters) - Business growth in China and across Europe slowed this month, surveys showed on Thursday, providing more evidence that the world economy is stuttering and may need more monetary stimulus to keep it going.

Mongolia eyes economic boost from China president's visit

(Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed on Thursday the expansion of bilateral trade with Mongolia to $10 billion a year by 2020 as he arrived for a two-day visit aimed at deepening economic ties between the neighbors.

Japan mulls setting aside 1 trillion yen for stimulus next fiscal year: Nikkei

(Reuters) - Japan's government is considering setting aside 1 trillion yen ($9.65 billion) for stimulus spending next fiscal year to help lessen the economic damage from a sales tax hike scheduled for October next year, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday.

India’s Bonds Reverse Losses as Government May Cut Borrowings

India’s 10-year sovereign bonds reversed the day’s losses after officials said the government may cut its borrowings and announce a debt buyback.

Japan heads for third quarter rebound but pressure on BOJ, Abe may build

(Reuters) - Japan's economy is expected to rebound this quarter from a steep contraction, but looming challenges will keep the pressure on the government and central bank for action to sustain growth.

China's July economic data points to further softness

(Reuters) - China's economy showed further signs of softening in July despite a burst of government stimulus measures, suggesting more policy support may be needed to keep growth on track as a property downturn worsens.

Japan's economy shrinks after sales tax rise

Japan's economy contracted by an annualised 6.8% in the second quarter of the year, the biggest fall since 2011 when it was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami.

Bank of Korea rate cut expected under government pressure

(Reuters) - The Bank of Korea is forecast to cut interest rates this week, a Reuters survey shows, a sharp turnaround in market expectations over the past month that raises questions about the central bank's independence.

Australia's biggest consumer class action widened to include more banks, customers

(Reuters) - An Australian law firm is widening a consumer class action case, already the country's largest, to target five major local and international banks over credit card fees worth as much as A$250 million ($231 million).

Rapid action needed to fuel Asia-Pacific growth: UN body

Asia-Pacific developing economies are experiencing yet another year of subdued growth, the United Nations said this week, calling for quick action on the removal of domestic structural constraints and the unlocking of fiscal space to help stimulate growth and support social development.

China's consumer inflation at 2.3 percent in July as forecast

(Reuters) - China's consumer inflation came in as forecast at 2.3 percent rise, data showed, reinforcing bets that benign price pressures will give authorities room to relax monetary policy if needed.

Taiwan Economy Minister Offers to Resign After Deadly Blasts

Taiwan’s economy minister Chang Chia-Juch offered his resignation yesterday, taking responsibility for gas explosions in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung city that killed at least 30 people.

Push Into Food, Power Plants Paying Off for Japanese Traders

Japan’s trading houses were key to the revival of the country’s postwar economy as they scoured the planet for the coal, oil and metals needed by industry.

China July data to give clues on recovery strength, more stimulus

(Reuters) - A raft of China data over the coming week will give the first indications of the economy's third-quarter performance, after conflicting signals suggested that more stimulus measures may be needed to ensure a sustained recovery.

India keeps policy rate unchanged, sounds tough on inflation

(Reuters) - India's central bank kept its key policy repo rate unchanged on Tuesday as widely expected, and voiced a commitment to bringing down inflation that convinced many analysts that markets will have to wait until next year for the next cut in rates.

Is the BOJ asleep at the wheel?

With Japan's economy on shaky ground, the country's central bank needs to take a page out of Federal Reserve's playbook and unleash fresh stimulus to save the fragile recovery from fizzling out, according to one strategist.

China manufacturing gathers pace, Europe falters, U.S. steady

BEIJING/LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Manufacturing activity in China and most of Asia gathered pace in July, while expansion slowed in Europe but remained healthy in the United States.

Asian Currencies Complete Weekly Drop as U.S. Data Boost Dollar

Asian currencies completed their biggest weekly decline in three months as data signaling a strengthening U.S. recovery boosted demand for the dollar.

China PMIs jump to multi-month highs in July, add to view economy is steadying

(Reuters) - China's factories posted their strongest growth in at least 1-1/2 years in July as new orders surged to multi-month highs, two surveys showed on Friday, cementing bets that the economy is re-gaining momentum after a spate of stimulus measures.

Kerry in India Pushes to Save WTO Deal Before Deadline

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is pressing India to agree to a global trade deal before a midnight deadline as part of talks today to expand ties between the world’s largest democracies.