Japan’s Mizuho chairman to step down over mob loans scandal
TOKYO (Reuters) – Mizuho Financial Group chairman Takashi Tsukamoto will quit in March to take responsibility for a scandal over loans to organized crime, and the bank will restructure its board to improve governance, it said on Thursday.
Slovenian beer turns sour as state fire sale looms
LJUBLJANA (Reuters) – A decade ago, with Slovenia cruising towards membership of the European Union, a local brewery called Union caught the eye of Belgian beer giant Interbrew.
Slowdown in growth a concern for some BOJ policymakers: minutes
TOKYO (Reuters) – Bank of Japan policymakers broadly agreed the economic recovery will remain on track as an improving job market fuels consumer spending, but some expressed worry about the pace of growth, the minutes of the central bank’s November mee…
China cabinet report sees 2013 economic growth at 7.6 percent: Xinhua
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s economic growth is likely to come in at 7.6 percent this year, according to a cabinet report cited by the official Xinhua news agency, just above the government’s target of 7.5 percent and slightly below last year’s 7.7 per…
Surge of holiday packages delays UPS shipments
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A high volume of holiday packages overwhelmed shipping and logistics company UPS, the company said on Wednesday, delaying the arrival of Christmas presents around the globe and sending angry consumers to social media to vent.
U.S. court rejects BP bid to require proof of Gulf oil spill losses
(Reuters) – BP Plc has failed to persuade a U.S. federal judge to require businesses seeking to recover money over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill to provide proof that their economic losses were caused by the disaster.
SoftBank in talks to acquire T-Mobile, discussing funding: sources
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s SoftBank Corp is in talks to acquire U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile US Inc and is discussing funding for a deal with financial institutions, sources close to the matter said on Wednesday.
Ukraine expects remaining $12 billion of Russian bailout in early 2014
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine expects a $15 billion bailout package from Russia to be fully disbursed in early 2014, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Wednesday after Kiev received the first $3 billion tranche.
Woodside stake may be split if Shell sells out
LONDON (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell’s 23.1 percent stake in Australian oil and gas group Woodside Petroleum is seen as more likely to be split up and/or sold to institutional shareholders than to go in one piece to a strategic buyer, bankers said.
Soaring compliance costs clip wings of Mideast, African banks
DUBAI (Reuters) – While it may be the most common given name in the world, the global banking system seemingly can’t cope with Mohammed and its various different spellings.