The earthquake that ripped through central China's Sichuan province, killing thousands, crumpling roads and factories and disrupting power and communication, will be only a transitory jolt for the booming economy, analysts say.
Westpac Banking said Tuesday that it would acquire its smaller rival St. George in a takeover worth about 18.5 billion Australian dollars or about $17.5 billion. The deal will create one of Australia's largest banks.
CHINA
China's inflation almost climbed to a 12-year high in April, swamping official efforts to cool surging living costs that could provoke unrest ahead of the Beijing Olympics.
It's been the dream of millions -- a home by the sea in sunny Spain. People from all over Europe have invested hard-earned savings in coastal villas and apartments.
Alitalia said Friday that an envoy designated by Premier Silvio Berlusconi is seeking information about the airline in view of a possible plan by Italian investors and businessmen to save the flagship Italian airline.
CANADA
Canada said Friday that it had decided to block a U.S. company's takeover of the space and satellite division of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Canada's leading space technology firm.
INDONESIA
JAKARTA-- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Tuesday that Indonesia was considering quitting the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries because it was no longer a net oil exporter.
Mexico's consumer confidence fell in April, the national statistics agency said. The index decreased to 97.8 from 102.7 in March, the agency said today in an e-mail. Economists had estimated confidence would fall to 102.5, according to the median of 11 forecasts compiled by Bloomberg.
BRAZIL
When David Neeleman stepped down as CEO of JetBlue Airways Corp. a year ago, he swore he'd never start another airline. ''Shows you how compelling . . . this Brazil idea really is,'' the JetBlue founder said of his latest venture, an airline that will appeal to Brazilians on service and price.
Deutsche Telekom is considering a bid for Sprint Nextel, according to a media report Monday. Bonn-based Deutsche Telekom did not immediately comment on the report in The Wall Street Journal. Were it to make such a deal, it would catapult its T-Mobile wireless unit to the top spot in the U.S. market.
Brazilian stocks have climbed to a record high, bursting through the 70,000-point barrier for the first time on continued euphoria over the country's new investment-grade credit rating.
Peru's inflation rate declined to a five-month low in April, led by declines in transportation and communication prices. Consumer prices rose 0.15 percent in April, down from 1.04 percent in March, the National Statistics Institute said.
