Asia shares lurch lower, China data darkens mood

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares fell on Thursday after strains in emerging markets returned with a vengeance and the Federal Reserve stepped back on its stimulus, sending investors scurrying to the safety of bonds and yen.

India's central bank hikes key interest rate

NEW DELHI (AP) -- India's central bank raised its key interest rate for the third time in four months Tuesday and its governor said combating stubbornly high inflation is the top priority despite an "increasingly worrisome" slowdown in economic growth.

China’s Foreign-Reserves Investment Chief Said to Depart

China’s official in charge of investing the world’s largest foreign-exchange reserves left the government agency that oversees the holdings, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.

Japan reports record annual trade deficit

Japan has reported a record annual trade deficit after the weak yen pushed up the cost of energy imports. Its deficit rose to 11.5 trillion yen ($112bn; £68bn) in 2013 - a 65% jump from a year ago.

Time Is Running Out for Thailand's Embattled Government

Will they or won’t they? Thais are waiting to hear whether elections scheduled for Feb. 2 will take place as planned.

Japan's Abe: I am beating deflation

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his country is winning the battle against deflation, the persistent low prices that have plagued Japan's economy for years.

Weakness in Asian economies seen persisting in 2014, China weighs

(Reuters) - Emerging Asian economies will contribute less to global growth in 2014 than earlier expected even as their major trading partners in the West show signs of recovery, a Reuters poll showed on Friday.