Deputies finance ministers and central-bank governors from the Group of 20 nations discussed concerns the recent volatility in financial markets may dim the short-term outlook for the global economy, a Bank of Korea official said.

Christchurch, New Zealand’s second- largest city, declared a state of emergency after the nation’s South Island was rocked by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that cut power, damaged roads and ripped facades off buildings.

President Barack Obama’s plan to meet Southeast Asian leaders this month reaffirms U.S. trust in a group that’s leading efforts to meet global economic and financial challenges, a regional official said.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Yu Myung Hwan offered to quit after local media reports regarding his daughter’s recent employment at the ministry, spokesman Kim Young Sun said.

The Asian electronics companies say they see strong demand for their me-too tablet devices

"We need a partner that's globally focused on telecom to help us carry this forward," a company executive says

Independent lawmaker Tony Windsor said he would return to his electorate at the weekend to decide who should form the next Australian government and will announce a decision early next week. Windsor spoke in an interview in Canberra today.

South Korea’s economy expanded at almost the same pace in the second quarter as initially estimated, fueled by demand for the nation’s exports of semiconductors and electronic products.

How's that supposed to make a country feel?

AFP - China has ordered banks to stop new lending to companies that pollute excessively or consume too much energy, as part of a drive to make its economy more energy efficient, state media said Saturday.

AFP - The European Union pressed China on Friday to back up its words with action and do more to stem the flow of Chinese-made counterfeit goods into Europe and around the world.

AFP - The death toll from rain-triggered landslides that struck a remote village in southwestern China has risen to 15, with another 33 people missing, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

AFP - At least 26 people were killed in separate vehicle accidents in northeastern China on Friday, state media reported.

AP - Thousands of coal trucks and other vehicles were backed up for miles on a highway in northern China on Friday, the latest in a series of monster traffic jams that have plagued the overloaded road since construction began on a parallel route earlier this summer.

AP - China has ordered local leaders to cool a surge in politically sensitive food prices by raising vegetable production amid rising tensions in poor countries over surging food costs.

Reuters - China on Friday offered a rare glimpse into its foreign exchange reserves, confirming that they are overwhelmingly allocated in dollars, while a central banker said the mountain of cash could face depreciation risks.

AFP - Farmers in eastern China are grappling with an explosion in the population of wild boars, who are destroying crops and upsetting the ecological balance, state media said on Friday.

AFP - The death toll from an explosion last month at a fireworks factory in northeastern China has leapt to 33 from a previously reported 20 dead, state media said.

AFP - Ruling party kingpin Ichiro Ozawa, vying for Japan's political leadership with Prime Minister Naoto Kan, criticised him Saturday for ceding control of decision-making to bureaucrats.

AFP - The United States praised Japan Friday for imposing new sanctions on Iran that include an asset freeze and tighter restrictions on financial transactions, part of a global response to Tehran's contested nuclear program.

AP - Japan approved fresh economic sanctions against Iran on Friday after the United Nations asked Tokyo to tighten restrictions against Tehran over its controversial nuclear enrichment program, an official said.

Reuters - The Bank of Japan is expected to hold off on easing monetary policy next week but is gearing up for further action in October as the strong yen threatens to derail its forecast of a moderate economic recovery, sources said.

AP - Japanese prosecutors charged a man believed to belong to the "Pink Panthers" ring of jewelry thieves Friday with stealing a diamond tiara and other jewelry worth millions from a Tokyo store.

AFP - Japan imposed new sanctions Friday against Iran, including an assets freeze on people and entities linked to its contentious nuclear programme and tighter restrictions on financial transactions.

AFP - Greenpeace chief Kumi Naidoo on Friday likened Japan's treatment of two of its anti-whaling activists to the tactics of the former apartheid regime he once campaigned against in his native South Africa.

AP - Japan is sweltering through its hottest summer on record, weather officials said Thursday.

AFP - In a rare victory for Sony over arch-rival Apple, the Walkman portable music player outsold the iPod in Japan in monthly sales for the first time in August, a survey showed Thursday.