Hong Kong’s embattled leader falls short on housing promises
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying took power in 2012 with a pledge to make housing more affordable, but since then both home prices and the waiting list for public housing have jumped by a third, stoking calls for him to step down….
China’s graft-busters target state-owned firms ahead of reform
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s anti-corruption watchdog has stepped up inspections of state-run conglomerates, focusing on strategic firms, as Beijing prepares to implement its most ambitious reform of government industry in nearly two decades.
China’s shipyards brace for leaner times as oil slump sours rig building spree
SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – For China’s shipyards, the oil rig market that was supposed to be a blessing is in danger of becoming a curse.
Bolland’s strategy in focus as M&S clothes lose universal appeal
LONDON (Reuters) – For generations, British children went to school in Marks & Spencer’s clothes, teenagers turned to it for first interview suits and shoppers of all ages bought its underwear.
Chastened Uber CEO seeks fresh start for ride services in Europe
MUNICH/FRANKFURT (Reuters) – The chief executive of controversial online ride-sharing company Uber stuck a newly conciliatory tone on Sunday, promising to create 50,000 new jobs this year across Europe in cities that are willing to reach deals to help …
Credit Suisse to charge large companies for franc deposits
ZURICH (Reuters) – Credit Suisse said on Sunday it planned to start charging institutional and large corporate clients for Swiss franc accounts following a move by the Swiss National Bank to introduce negative interest rates.
Obama speech to call for closing tax loopholes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address will propose closing multibillion-dollar tax loopholes used by the wealthiest Americans, imposing a fee on big financial firms and then using the revenue to benefit the middle c…
Hutchison in talks over deal for Britain’s O2: Sunday Times
LONDON (Reuters) – Hutchison Whampoa , owner of Britain’s fourth-largest mobile operator Three, is in talks with Telefonica about buying its O2 network, the Sunday Times reported, citing unnamed city sources.
ECB faces crucial test of ‘whatever it takes’
LONDON (Reuters) – The European Central Bank faces a crucial test of its resolve to do “whatever it takes” to preserve the euro when it decides this week on buying government bonds to combat deflation and revive the economy.
Looking to the ECB to move the dial
LONDON (Reuters) – After a head-spinning bout of volatility, next week will be dominated by one question: Will the European Central Bank take the ultimate policy leap or pull its punches?
