DOUBLE BLOW: Inflation is expected to increase from 4.3 percent to 4.8 percent, a particular problem in the export-dependent region when growth in the US is slowing
Growth in Asia's developing economies is at risk from rising inflationary pressure, which may hurt its competitiveness, Fitch Ratings said.

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MEDIA MONOLITH: Dow Jones & Co now belongs to News Corp, which also owns the Fox broadcast network and Twentieth Century Fox, among others
Rupert Murdoch has completed his more than US$5 billion deal to acquire Dow Jones & Co, adding the Wall Street Journal to his global media conglomerate News Corp and ending a century of control by the Bancroft family.

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China's urban fixed asset investments posted a robust rise in the first 11 months, the government said yesterday, suggesting it was still a long way away from reining in Asia's second-largest economy.

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The European Commission will propose next week to set carbon dioxide targets for cars based on their weight as sought by German carmakers, although some key points still have to be ironed out, officials said.

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TEAM WORK: A fund spokesman praised five central banks for taking the initiative to pump liquidity into the banking system on Wednesday
The IMF called on Thursday for a rapid assessment of the amount of bank losses related to the US housing crisis to help end the global credit squeeze.

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Venezuela and Brazil signed accords on Thursday pledging to boost trade and link their economies through energy cooperation as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva seek to deepen ties.

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■ ELECTRONICS

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