ECB Officials Signal Support for Higher Interest Rates as Inflation Climbs

European Central Bank officials signaled an interest rate increase may be necessary next month to stop surging commodity costs from fanning broader inflation.

China National People’s Congress in Asia focus

TOKYO (MarketWatch) — China’s National People’s Congress will take the Asian spotlight next week, as well as Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.’s earnings, data on core machinery orders from Japan, and interest-rate decisions from South Korea and New Zealand.

Being mindful of driving habits can save costly gas

With gas prices so high, over $3.50 a gallon in many places, there are some simple and low-cost things motorists can do to extend the mileage they get on a tank of gas.

According to Stephanie Dembowski, public affairs coordinator for Arizona AAA Automotive, the faster you go, the more it costs you. She added that even cars that get good gas mileage can use a lot of gas when driving fast, so slow down.

As Oil Prices Surge, So Do Airfares

As the price of oil has surged because of the unrest in the Middle East, so have airline fares.

Airlines around the world are quickly boosting their fares to keep pace with higher jet fuel costs, which account for 30 percent of the carriers' operation expenses. The price of oil has risen sharply as the turmoil in oil-producing states like Libya has traders worried that the world's daily flow of oil will be diminished.

Oil's rise to 2-1/2 year high ignites inflation fears

(Reuters) - Oil jumped to 2-1/2 year highs on Friday on more violence in Libya, and more expensive crude sparked inflation worries that drove up gold but pressured copper and agricultural commodities on fears economic growth would slow.
Corn, wheat and soybean prices felt the weight of increased energy costs, as investors fretted that the impact of higher energy prices might filter through to other economic sectors at a time when growth was finally starting to take off.

UBS's Matthew Koder quits to join BofA

London-based Koder, who has nearly two decades experience in investment banking and capital markets, will relocate to Hong Kong from London to help BofA beef up its Asian franchise.
IFR, a Thomson Reuters publication, first reported Koder's move, which was confirmed by BofA. UBS was not available for comment.

DaVita earns recognition in Fortune's Most Admired Companies list

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been honored as one of the 2011 Fortune®

Insider trading: American hedge fund billionaire Raj Rajaratnam goes on trial

After wiretaps and FBI dawn raids, the Securities and Exchange Commission will this week go to court in its biggest battle against illegal sharedealing. But can it win?
Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam, the man at the centre of the trial, is denying the charges. Photograph: Chip East/Reuters

China to firmly curb excessive rise of housing prices in cities

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will firmly curb the excessively rapid rise of housing prices in some cities this year, Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday, voicing the determination to cool the red-hot property market.
The government aims to "genuinely stabilize housing prices and meet the reasonable demands of residents for housing", Wen said when delivering a government report to open annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature.

Apple’s Jobs makes surprise appearance at iPad event

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made a surprise return from medical leave on Wednesday to unveil a new version of the iPad tablet computer, a move that bolstered the company's shares and reassured investors concerned about his health.

Has Coca-Cola’s secret recipe been discovered?

The Coca-Cola Co has dismissed a report aired by an American public radio station that it had discovered the secret formula behind the hugely popular beverage. The radio station stands by their claim and have provided photographic “evidence”.

REUTERS - Coca-Cola Co said on Tuesday that its flagship cola recipe is still secret after nearly 125 years, denying a story by a public radio show that it has uncovered the formula.

Daimler, EADS charged with insider trading

 

German auto giant Daimler has been hit by an insider trading scandal involving the European defence group EADS. Investigating French judges are pursuing charges related to share sales in 2005 and 2006.

French carmaker Renault cries foul over handling of industry spy case

Investigations into allegations of industrial espionage at French carmaker Renault have put the industry giant at odds with France’s spy agency, according to media reports.
France’s Central Directorate of Interior Intelligence (DCRI) is leaking information about the alleged industrial espionage case at Renault to the press and hurting the carmaker’s image, according to the company’s lawyer.

AOL seeks fresh start with Huffington Post takeover

Lumbering Internet giant AOL has said it will buy The Huffington Post, one of the most visited news sites in the US, for $315 million, in a move designed to revive its fortunes as an integrated media group.

Ukraine's Euro 2012 preparations: foul play?

Ukrainians are excitedly awaiting the Euro 2012 football tournament, to be co-hosted with Poland. But some suspect those close to the authorities are benefiting disproportionately from the event. Gulliver Cragg reports from Kiev.

France moves on South Africa’s nuclear jackpot

South African President Jacob Zuma wrapped up a state visit to France with a number of bilateral agreements involving French energy giants just as Pretoria prepares to expand its nuclear energy production.

Long-time energy partners France and South Africa signed a series of bilateral agreements Wednesday on President Jacob Zuma’s final day of his state visit to Paris. The deals, which involve energy giants Areva and EDF, come just before South Africa is set to expand its nuclear programme.

China says Renault spy scandal accusations are 'groundless'

China has denied any connection to the industrial espionage scandal at French carmaker Renault, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. French intelligence services are reportedly investigating the issue.

Sacked Renault executive accused of spying to sue for defamation

 

One of the three former Renault executives accused of industrial espionage announced Thursday that he would sue for defamation over the accusations, which he denies. The trio are accused of leaking information about the French giant’s electric cars.

 

 

 

 

 

AFP - A former top Renault executive is suing over allegations he sold industrial secrets and is taking the French car maker to court for sacking him, his lawyer said Wednesday.

  

Renault braces for backlash in industrial spying case

French car marker Renault's chief operating officer, Patrick Pelata (pictured) has expressed new doubts about claims of industrial espionage that saw three employees fired and became an affair of state.

 

France’s leading car manufacturer Renault may have falsely believed it was being targeted by spies, the company’s chief operating officer, Patrick Pelata